How Do Durkheimian Variables Impact Variation in National Suicide Rates When Proxies for Depression and Alcoholism are Controlled?∗

Accepted under the editorship of Antoon Leenaars, Ph.D.

Abstract

Sociological research on Durkheim's theories of egoistic and anomic suicide has given Durkheim continued support more than a century after Durkheim published his work. Recent criticism by Breault (1994), though, argues that Durkheim's theories of suicide actually have not been empirically supported given the lack of psychological variables included in sociological research on suicide rates. Using proxy measures of depression and alcoholism, two known psychological variables to impact suicide, as well as classic Durkheimian variables, suicide rates in eight European countries from 1973–1997 were examined. Results indicate that Durkheim's theories of egoism and anomie, while not completely supported in statistical analysis of suicide rates, received moderate support. Results suggest the continued usefulness of Durkheim's work in aggregate analyses of suicide.

Keywords:

• Durkheim
• national suicide rates
• psychological proxies

Notes

∗p < .05.

∗p < .05.

∗∗p < .01.

∗p < .05.

∗∗p < .01.

¹The intent of this research is not to question whether or not social integration and social regulation are the same concept; this has been done elsewhere (i.e., Johnson, 1965; Pope, 1976). Rather, the intent is to discuss Durkheim's theory of suicide as he originally presented it, focusing on egoism and anomie since these are the two main types of suicide examined the literature.

²Although this example is clearly one of fatalism (i.e., over-regulation), the main point is that the sexes are differentially impacted by the level of divorce.

³See Neter, Wasserman, and Kutner (1990) for a discussion of variance inflation factors.

Accepted under the editorship of Antoon Leenaars, Ph.D.