The Effect of Marriage, Family, and Religious Ties on African American Suicide Ideology

The influence of marriage & family factors on suicide ideology was explored in a national sample of 1197 African Americans. Being married lowers pro-suicide ideology; however, having children does not. Institutional ties to religion are found to be considerably more important than marital ties in lowering pro-suicide ideology among African Americans. This model is replicated for Whites. Collective institutions tend to lower pro-suicide ideology less for African Americans than for Whites.