Year: 1999 Source: Omega, v.40, no.2, (1999-2000), p.307-321 SIEC No: 20000223

Reflections are presented on Durkheim’s theory of suicide 100 years after it was first formulated. It is suggested that much of the research which purports to test Durkheim’s theory does not in fact do so, & suggestions are made as to how the theory might be tested. Research into whether there is a societal effect on suicide is reviewed, & efforts to apply Durkheim’s theory to individuals are described. (23 refs.)