Suicide and the Creative Class: A Cross-National Examination

ABSTRACT

Studies on suicide have illustrated the role society plays in the very individual act of suicide. Suicide research has examined the role of economic development within cities, states, and countries. Florida suggested that a new form of economic development, built around the creative class, is being implemented by the most prosperous cities and countries. Using a cross-national analysis of 59 countries the study finds that as the percent of the creative class increased, suicide increased. The findings indicate that there could be a negative consequence to areas pursuing economic development along the creative class model.

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Notes on contributors

Mark H. Heirigs

MARK H. HEIRIGS is a Graduate Assistant pursuing his Ph.D. at Iowa State University in the Department of Sociology. He received his M.A. in sociology with a college teaching emphasis at Minnesota State University, Mankato where he was a graduate teaching fellow in the Department of Sociology and Corrections. His research interests are in the areas of cross-national criminology, deviance, and social inequalities.

Matthew D. Moore

MATTHEW D. MOORE is an Assistant Professor at the University of Central Arkansas. His research interests are in the areas of cross-national criminology, social capital, and suicide.

Nicholas L. Recker

NICHOLAS L. RECKER is an Associate Professor of sociology at Metropolitan State University of Denver. His research interests include community/regional development, health, and social capital. A recent publication in Health Sociology Review focused on the relationship between social capital and suicide rates across U.S. counties.