The Regional Variation of Suicide by Different Methods: a Problem for Durkheim’s Theory of Suicide

A factor analysis of US census & statistical data for 1980 showed that state variations in suicide by various methods had different social correlates. Analysis yielded 7 independent factors. Total suicide rate was significantly associated with scores on the 2nd & 3rd factors. Only suicide rates by firearms/explosives & by solids/liquids were correlated with indices of low social integration as predicated by E. Durkehim (1897). (12 refs.)