Social integration and suicide: a test of durkheim's theory

Behavior Science Research • Vol/Iss. 12 • Published In • Pages: 251-269 •
By Masumura, Wilfred T.

Abstract

This study reexamines Durkheim’s theory of social integration and suicide and tests for an association in a cross-cultural sample of pre-literate societies. Contrary to Durkheim’s theory, the author finds that suicide varies inversely with both social and religious integration. Results also suggested that suicide is negatively associated with a society’s ritual activity. Overall it is suggested that alienated persons in highly integrated societies will be at a greater risk of suicide than those in less integrated societies.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Kate Cummings  Amelia Piazza