Sociological Research Into Suicide (IN: Suicide Prevention: Resources for the Millennium, edited by D Lester)

The sociological perspective on suicide focuses primarily on suicide at the aggregate or group level. Sociological research examines forces external to the individual. This chapter focuses on 5 sets of well-researched social forces: 1) demographic & temporal factors, 2) the intensity of economic strain, 3) the vitality of marriage & family life, 4) religion, & 5) copy-cat effects that may be generated by media coverage of suicide. Each section looks at one of these factors & deals with work from the past & present, & makes suggestions for future research.