Authoritarianism, Status Integration, and Suicide

Abstract

Gibbs and Martin's theory of status integration and suicide has been examined in the light of some criticisms of this theory. The original data of Gibbs and Martin on status integration in 30 American states have been reanalysed, including data on authoritarianism, inequality, and murder. These last three variables were found to be better predictors of suicide rates than status integration. When the variables in the analysis were controlled on one another, the correlation of authoritarianism with suicide was slightly increased, while the correlation of status integration fell to an insignificant level. These findings have been interpreted in the light of Durkheim's original formulations concerning normative integration and suicide rates. It is suggested that lack of status integration (occupying atypical status sets) occurs in non-authoritarian communities because of the unconstrained social mobility of individuals. Such individuals are more prone to suicide than individuals who are constrained by community norms from moving into atypical combinations of status.