Suicide Patterns in a Religious Subculture. The Old Order Amish

~Suicide patterns over 4 decades in an Amish settlement in Pennsylvania from 1974-1983 are discussed. Reasons for the theory that the Amish have a lower suicide rate then the general public are examined. Data was collected from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Results show the suicide rate is lower than in the general population. The Amish suicide rate is compared to other religious groups. In conclusion, the act of suicide is not only controlled by social forces in the larger society, but also by the normative order of religious subculture. (16 refs.)(CH)