Violence, wild tempers and hot weather – is the mango craze real?

It’s a common refrain in top Australia when the build-up hits.

Mango madness, going troppo — terms used to describe the mood in certain parts of the country during the months of October, November and December.

Known as the warm season, the end of the year often brings oppressive and intense temperatures to northern Australia, and researchers say a number of unique challenges come with it.

Residents have long shared stories of their experiences during the hot season – people wandering the streets to escape the heat, frayed nerves leading to bouts of violence and a greater addiction to alcohol.

But is there any truth behind the much-reported phenomenon?

Police figures reveal peaks

Publicly available data from police forces in the north show slight increases in violence during the hot months of the year.

Data from Far North Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia in particular show increases in assaults and property crimes during construction.

Dr Kerstin Zander from Charles Darwin University’s Northern Institute said her work had previously done so found a link between higher temperatures and poorer decision making.

She said the increased temperatures and humidity affected behavior and disrupted routines.

“It’s common sense that heat can make us more irritable and nervous,” said Dr. Zander.

“People really feel the heat and are less productive … (they) are also more likely to experience fatigue and headaches, which can increase irritation.”

A study conducted by Macquarie University researchers previously highlighted other effects of hot weather, including lethargy, restless sleep and dehydration.

“These effects can make people feel irritated, which can increase the likelihood of acting out more aggressively,” it said.

“Also, behavioral changes associated with hot weather may create more opportunities and motivation to act aggressively.

Dr. Zander said it’s common for people to stay inside during extreme heat, which can extend time with family and friends.

As a result, Macquarie researchers said domestic, non-domestic and sexual violence crimes are likely to increase as temperatures rise.

In addition to violent crime, a number of studies also found that warmer temperatures were often linked to property crime.

A US study published in October found that physiological discomfort and breaks from routine contributed to the increase but the crimes had their bottom at the height of the day.

“Property crimes may be less susceptible to impulse control and aggression compared to other crimes,” it said.

“However, further investigation is needed to explain the association between warm temperatures and certain crimes.”

An inexact science

The mango craze and go troppo theories/notions need further investigation.

“Ideally, we would have better data,” said Dr. Zander.

“We probably need more – and better – hospital data.

“There are definitely ways you can work with the hospitals and the police to make a connection.”

The US study said it was clear there was more work to be done to make a definite link between heat and people’s behaviour.

“Overall, increased short-term temperature exposure was significantly associated with increased violent crime, while evidence was weak for property crime,” it said.

“To advance our understanding of the influence of temperature on crime and violence in the context of climate change, more extensive research is needed, conducted at larger geographical and temporal scales, and encompassing more types of crime and violence.”

Dr. Curtin University’s Lucas Hertzog said it was important not to take the phenomenon lightly.

He recently conducted a study for Curtin University on the impact of heat and suicide risk and said his findings were worrying.

The study used data between 2000 and 2019 and found that 0.5% – or about 260 – of suicide deaths in Australia are linked to unusually high temperatures.

“Heat only becomes a risk when combined with other factors such as social structures, access to health care, family and community support, and adequate housing and infrastructure,” said Dr. Herztog.

“Any mental health challenges associated with rising heat do not happen in a vacuum, as people have different levels of coping mechanisms and institutional support.”

Dr. Hertzog said it’s useful to explore phenomena like the mango craze to destigmatize it.

“However, Australia is not the only country with people living in the tropics, and we should be cautious when associating geography with behaviour,” he said.

“There is a long history of pseudoscientific studies that legitimize all sorts of misconceptions about populations living in the tropics or warmer climates.

“If these expressions have partial truths behind them, as scientists, we can question them using scientific methods, compare them to other contexts, and explore the social and environmental conditions under which they may occur.”

He said the challenge of climate change in particular meant it was important to consider the impact of excessive heat.

“We considered excessive heat associated solely with climate change, and this information could support public health planning and preparedness given the warming trends we anticipate when we look at climate models,” said Dr. Herztog.