Abstract
The “Dark Side” of the Strength of Weak Ties: the Diffusion of Suicidal Thoughts
Baller R D~~Richardson K K
Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the effect of friends-of-friends attempted suicide on the suicidal thoughts of respondents are estimated. A focus on friends-of-friends permits a test of Granovetter’s theory on the strength of weak ties. Results for at-risk respondents are consistent with Granovetter’s theory as these respondents were more likely to seriously think about dying by suicide when a friend-of-a-friend attempted suicide, controlling for variables such as past suicidal thoughts by the respondent & attempts by friends, family, & students in the respondent’s school. Barriers to diffusion are also considered. (74 refs.)