Role Interference: an Analysis of Suicide Victims, Homicide Offenders, and Non-Violent Individuals

Role interference refers to the stress created when the assumption of one role impedes the playing of another, more appropriate role. The authors investigated life histories of 98 suicide victims, 62 homicide offenders, & 76 non-violent individuals. Roles of childhood, student, occupation, marriage & parenthood were analyzed. Results indicated that high degrees of role interference tend to be associated with homicidal behavior & low degrees associated with suicidal behavior. (NBB)