On the Relationship between Significant Yearly Events and Time of Death: Random or Systematic Distribution?

Abstract

Using cross-sections of the age-range one to nineteen, birth and death dates were collected for 8653 people who died during the calendar years 1972 and 1973 in ten U. S. states. Based on previous findings with adults and on the development of the time concept, it was hypothesized that a relationship between time of death and significant yearly events such as birthdate and Christmas would emerge with increasing age. The predicted emerging relationship postulates a decrease of death frequency before, and a rise after, the two criterion dates rather than a rectangular pattern of death frequency. Data were analyzed comparing age differences of pre- and post-birthdate (or Christmas) death frequencies extending over a one-month interval before and after the criterion dates. Contrary to research on adult samples, no overall significances were found. Analysis of the weekly death pattern with birthdate and Christmas as target dates led to a U-shaped curve exhibiting higher death frequencies one month before and after and lower but expected death frequencies in the one to three preceding and following weeks. Results are compared with previous research findings with adults and the failing of the developmental perspective is discussed.