Explaining Suicide Among Blacks and Whites: How Socioeconomic Factors and Gun Availability Affect Race‐Specific Suicide Rates^*

Abstract

What are the correlates of suicide among blacks and whites? One body of literature suggests that structural factors such as poverty, inequality, joblessness, and family disruption are the key contributors, while another literature considers the availability of firearms to be the central factor. No studies have thoroughly explored both possibilities together and thus we know little about the relative contributions of motivation to commit suicide due to structural conditions and opportunity to commit suicide due to firearm availability. The current study addresses this issue. Copyright (c) 2009 by the Southwestern Social Science Association.

Army Suicides: “Knowns” and an Interpretative Framework for Future Directions

“…Documented in the general literature is the extended support network afforded to African Americans (Early, 1992;Gibbs, 1997;Hetherington & Parke, 1975;Kubrin & Wadsworth, 2009;Lareau, 1987;Stack, 1974;Taylor, Chatters, Tucker, & Lewis, 1990). Thus, under stressful circumstances, whites would be expected to have more negative consequences than African Americans, due to the buffering effects of indigenous social supports (Cohen & Wills, 1985).…”

“…Thus, under stressful circumstances, whites would be expected to have more negative consequences than African Americans, due to the buffering effects of indigenous social supports (Cohen & Wills, 1985). Some have also described African Americans' higher level of participation in religion, compared to whites' generally lower level, as an additional inhibition against self-harm (Kubrin & Wadsworth, 2009). Others have also described the greater resiliency among African Americans in adapting to adverse life circumstances, such as discrimination, unemployment, poverty, urban living, and the like (McIntosh & Santos, 1981;Seiden, 1981).…”

“…More thought should be given to developing education and training for soldiers on the proper handling and storage of personally owned firearms, in particular, for family members to recognize when firearms need to be removed from soldiers at risk. Research has also shown that the availability of firearms to those contemplating suicide is a major determinant for follow-through (Kubrin & Wadsworth, 2009). Mann et al (2005) suggested greater "means restriction" as a preventive strategy.…”

“…Many of these associations are a result of different socialization patterns between males and females, in particular, interpersonal behaviors (Wilson, 1987). Males' aggressiveness and competiveness, along with greater exposure, familiarity, and comfort with weapons often lead to their greater availability and less inhibition to use them for self-harm (Kubrin & Wadsworth, 2009). There is also evidence that women benefit more than men from social integration (Cohen, 2004;House, Landis, & Umberson, 1988), and with its absence men are more vulnerable to the negative effects of stressful circumstances.…”

Correlates of Suicide Among Army National Guard Soldiers

“…Race likely determines the nature and amount of informal support available to the individual, especially during stressful circumstances, to help augment the individual's coping. For example, African Americans have more access to extended support networks than Whites (Early, 1992;Gibbs, 1997;Hetherington & Parke, 1975;Kubrin & Wadsworth, 2009;Lareau, 1987;Stack, 1974;Taylor, Chatters, Tucker, & Lewis, 1990). Thus, Whites would be expected to have more negative consequences to stressful circumstances than would African Americans, due to the buffering effects of indigenous social supports (Cohen & Wills, 1985).…”