NCJ Number
189578
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 227-252
Date Published
August 2001
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article examines an integrated model of suicide and homicide, focusing on gender differences in the suicide-homicide ratio.
Abstract
This was a partial test of Unnithan, Huff-Corzine, and Whitt's integrated model of suicide and homicide, focusing specifically on gender differences in the suicide-homicide ratio (SHR). In light of prior research on the differential attributional styles of men and women, the article assessed the underlying assumptions of Unnithan et al. regarding attribution of blame and direction of lethal violence. Using aggregate national suicide and homicide rates for the years 1979 through 1997, it calculated SHR's and lethal violence rates (LVR's) and compared them by gender. Women's SHR's were substantially higher than those for men. In addition, trends in LVR's over time were significantly different for men and women, exhibiting a cyclical pattern in the case of men and a linear pattern in the case of women. The article discussed implications of these findings for the integrated model and for future research. Figures, table, notes, references