Suicide, Homicide, and Social Structure in Ceylon (IN: Personality and Social Systems, edited by N J Smelser & W T Smelser)

This chapter discusses the general incidence of homicide & suicide in Ceylon (former name of Sri Lanka), including a table of homicide & suicide rates for each year from 1880-1950. Suicide & homicide rates by urban or rural residence & by ethnicity are also discussed. Findings confirm the expectation that because of the characteristics of loosely as opposed to closely integrated social structures, suicide rates will vary directly & homicide rates will vary inversely with the degree to which Ceylonese society is closely structured. (29 refs.)