Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gender, Marriage, and Suicide Acceptability: A Comparative Analysis

  • Published:
Sex Roles Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The previous work on suicide acceptability hasneglected gender specific analysis of the marriagesuicide acceptability linkage as well as cross-nationalanalysis. The present study fills these gaps in the literature through an analysis of 15nations. Controlling for alternative predictors ofsuicide acceptability, marriage lowers suicideacceptability for both males and females. Further,marriage lowers suicide acceptability more for men than forwomen. This gendered relationship has the same strengthin nations both high and low in economic genderequality. The results provide the first comparativeevidence on the subject. The findings support the notionthat men derive relatively more benefits from marriagethan women. However, the strongest correlates of suicideacceptability (e.g., religiosity, liberalism, French residence) affect men and womenequally.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Akers, R. (1997). Criminological theories: Introduction and evaluation. (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Roxbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkman, L., & Syme, L. (1979). Social networks, host resistance, and mortality. American Journal of Epidemiology, 190, 186-204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bird, C., & Freemont, A. (1989). Gender, social roles, and health. Paper presented at the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco.

  • Breault, K. (1986). Durkheim's theory of religion and family integration. American Journal of Sociology, 92, 628-656.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, P. (1972). Suicide and the generation gap. Life Threatening Behavior, 2, 194-208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. (1983). Comparing regression coefficients across subsamples. Sociological Methods and Research, 12, 77-94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coombs, R. (1991). Marital status and personal well-being: A literature review. Family Relations, 40, 97-102.

    Google Scholar 

  • DeWilde, E., Kienhorst, I., Diekstra, R., & Walters, W. (1993). The specificity of psychological characteristics of adolescent suicide attempters. Journal of the American Academ y of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32, 51-59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domino, G. (1980). Students' attitudes towards suicide. Social Psychiatry, 15, 127-130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domino, G. (1981). Attitudes towards suicide among Mexican American youth. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 3, 385-395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domino, G. (1990). Popular misconceptions about suicide. Omega, 21, 167-175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domino, G., Moore, D, Westlake, L., & Gibson, L. (1982). Attitudes towards suicide: A factor analytic approach. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38, 257-262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domino, G., MacGregor, J. C., & Hannah, M. T. (1988). Collegiate attitudes towards suicide: New Zealand and United States. Omega, 19, 351-364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Domino, G., & Miller, K. (1992). Religiosity and attitudes towards Suicide. Omega, 25, 271-282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Droogas, A., Siiter, R., & O'Connell, A. (1982). Effects of personal and situational factors on attitudes towards suicide. Omega, 13, 127-144.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ducharme, F. (1993). Marital support, coping strategies, and well-being. Canadian Journal on Aging, 12, 39-49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Durkheim, E. (1887/1966). Suicide. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finlay, B. (1985). Right to life vs. the right to die: Some correlates of euthanasia attitudes. Sociology and Social Research, 69, 548-560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, C., & Phillips, S. (1982). Pp 21-39 In L. Peplau & D. Perlman (Eds.), Loneliness. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowers, B. (1991). His and her marriage: A multivariate study of gender and marital satisfaction, Sex Roles, 24, 209-221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, G. P. (1971). Public conceptions and attitudes about suicide, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 12, 200-207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W. (1972). Sex, marital status, and suicide. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 13, 204-213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W. (1984). Gender differences in mental and physical illness, Social Science and Medicine, 19, 77-84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W., & Geerken, M. (1977). The effect of children and employment on the mental health of married men and women, Social Forces, 56, 66-76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W., Hughes, M., & Briggs Style, K. (1983). Does marriage have positive effects on the psychological well-being of the individual?, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 122-131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez, P., King, C., & Ghaziuddin, N. (1996). Adolescent attitudes about death in relation to suicidality, Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 26, 8-18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helsing, K. J., Moysen, S., & Comstock, G. (1981). Factors associated with mortality after widowhood, American Journal of Public Health, 71, 802-809.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoelter, J. (1979). Religiosity, fear of death, and suicide acceptability. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 9, 163-172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huffine, C. (1989). Social and cultural risk factors for youth suicide. In L. Davidson, & L. Linnoila (Eds.), Report of the Secretary's Task Force on Youth Suicide. Volume 2. Risk factors for youth suicide. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inglehart, R. (1990). Culture shift in advanced industrial society. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inkeles, A. (1990). National character revisited. The Tocqueville Review, 12, 83-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, K. (1979). Durkheim revisited: Why do women kill themselves? Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 9, 145-153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joung, I. M. A., Stronks, K., Van De Mheen, H., Van Poppel, F. W. A, van Der Meer, J. B. W., & Machenbach, J. P. (1997). The contribution of intermediary factors to marital status differences in self-reported health. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 59, 476-490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ketelaar, T., & O'Hara, M. (1989). Meaning of the concept ‘suicide’ and risk for attempted suicide. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 8, 393-399.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, M. (1987). Cross-national research as an analytic strategy. American Sociological Review, 52, 713-731.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, D. (1989). Social approval of suicide and suicide rates. Psychological Reports, 62, 958.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, D. (1992). Why people kill themselves (3rd ed.), Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lester, D., McCabe, C., & Cameron, M. (1991–92). Judging the appropriateness of completed suicide, attempted suicide, and suicide ideation, Omega, 24, 75-79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis-Beck, M. (1980). Applied regression analysis. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lillard, L., & Waite, L. (1995). 'Til death do us part: Marital disruption and mortality. American Journal of Sociology, 100, 1131-1156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Limbacher, M., & Domino, G. (1985–1986). Attitudes towards suicide among attempters, contemplators, and nonattempters. Omega, 16, 325-334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Litwack, E., & Messeri, P. (1989). Organizational theory, Social supports, and mortality rates. American Sociological Review, 54, 49-66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maris, R. (1981). Pathways to Suicide. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McRae, J., & Brody, C. (1989). The differential importance of marital experiences for the well-being of women and men. Social Science Research, 18, 237-248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marks, A. (1988). Structural parameters of sex, race, age, and education and their influences on attitudes towards suicide. Omega, 19, 327-336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsueda, R., & Heimer, K. (1987). Race, family structure, and delinquency. American Sociological Review, 52, 826-840.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minear, J., & Brush, L. (1980–1981). The correlations of attitudes towards suicide with death anxiety, religiosity, and personal closeness to suicide. Omega, 11, 317-324.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neter, J., Wasserman, W., & Kutner, M. (1985). Applied linear statistical models. Homewood, IL: Irwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostheimer, J. (1980). The polls: Changing attitudes towards euthanasia. Public Opinion Quarterly, 44, 123-128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ostheimer, J., & Moore, C. L. (1981). The correlates of attitudes towards euthanasia revisited. Social Biology, 28, 145-148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pescosolido, B., & Georgianna, S. (1989). Durkheim, Suicide and religion: Towards a network analysis of suicide. American Sociological Review, 54, 33-48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plutchik, R., & VanPraag, H. (1994). Suicide risk: Amplifiers and attenuators. In M. Hillbrand, & N. Pallone (Eds.), The psychology of aggression. New York: Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ross, C., Mirowsky, J., & Goldstein, K. (1990). The impact of the family on health. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 52, 1059-1078.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sale, I., Williams, C., Clark, J., & Mills, J. (1975). Suicide behavior: Community attitudes and beliefs. Suicide, 5, 158-168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, D. (1982). Public attitudes towards life and death. Public Opinion Quarterly, 46, 521-533.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawyer, D., & Sobal, J. (1987). Public attitudes towards suicide. Public Opinion Quarterly, 51, 92-101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, B. K. (1979). Correlates of attitudes towards euthanasia. Social Biology, 26, 247-253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh. B. K., Williams J. S., & Ryther, B. J. (1986). Public approval of suicide. Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 16, 409-418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1982). Suicide: A decade review. Deviant Behavior, 4, 41-66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1983). The effect of religious commitment on suicide. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 362-374.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1985). The effect of religious-family integration on suicide. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 47, 431-447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1989). The impact of divorce on suicide in norway. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51, 229-238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1990a). The effect of divorce on suicide in Denmark. Sociological Quarterly, 31, 359-370.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1990b). New micro level data on the impact of divorce on suicide, 1959–1980. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 52, 119-127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1992a). The effect of divorce on suicide in Japan. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 54, 327-334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1992b). Religiosity, depression, and suicide. In J. Schumaker (Ed.), Religion and Mental Health. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1992c). Marriage, family, religion, and suicide. In R. Maris (Ed.), Assessment and prediction of suicide. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1996a). Does being a parent affect suicide ideology? Omega, 34, 71-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1996b). Effect of female labor force participation on female suicide attitudes. Death Studies, 20, 285-291.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S. (1996c). Culture and suicide: An analysis of 35 nations. Paper presented at the annual meetings of the American Association of Suicidology, St. Louis, MO.

  • Stack, S., & Lester, D. (1991). The effect of religion on suicide ideology. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 26, 168-170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S., & Wasserman, I. (1992) The effect of religion on suicide ideology: An analysis of the networks perspective. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 31, 457-464.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S., Wasserman, I., & Kposowa, A. (1994). The effects of religion and feminism on suicide ideology. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 33, 110-121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack, S., & Wasserman, I. (1995). The effect of marriage, family, and religious ties on african american suicide ideology. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57, 215-222.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stein, D., Witzum, E., Brom, D., DeNour, A., & Elizur, A. (1992). The association between adolescents' attitudes towards suicide and their psychosocial background and suicidal tendencies. Adolescence, 27, 949-959.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stewart, A., & Winter, D. (1977). The nature and causes of female suppression. Signs: The Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 2, 531-553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., McDowell, E., & Shumblin, J. (1984). Suicide attitude vignette experience. Death Education: Supplement, 8, 65-79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., McDowell, E. E., Smith, R. T., & McCoy, P. A. (1986). Relationships between suicide attitudes and indicators of mental health among adolescents. Death Studies, 10, 289-296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stillion, J. M., White, H., Edwards, P., & McDowell, E. (1989). Ageism and sexism in suicide attitudes. Death Studies, 13, 247-261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tornstam, L. (1992). Loneliness in marriage. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 9, 197-217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trovato, F. (1986). The relationship between marital dissolution and suicide: The Canadian case.” Journal of Marriage and the Family, 48, 341-348.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trovato, F. (1987). A longitudinal analysis of divorce and suicide in Canada. Journal of Marriage and the Family 49, 193-203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trovato, F., & Lauris, G. (1989). Marital status and mortality in Canada, 1951–1981. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51, 907-922.

    Google Scholar 

  • Umberson, D. (1987). Family stress and health behaviors. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 28, 306-319.

    Google Scholar 

  • U. S. Bureau of the Census. (1991). Statistical Abstract of the U.S. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vemer, E., Coleman, M., Ganong, L., & Harris, C. (1989). Marital satisfaction in remarriage: A meta analysis. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51, 713-725.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warr, M., & Stafford, M. (1991). The influence of delinquent peers: What they think and what they do. Criminology, 29, 851-865.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wasserman, I. (1990). The impact of divorce on suicide in the U.S. Family Perspective, 24, 61-68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wicker, A. W. (1969). Attitudes vs. actions, Journal of Social Issues, 4, 41-75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D. (1988). Gender, marriage, and psychological well-being. Journal of Family Issues, 9, 452-468.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Values Study Group. (1991). World Values Survey, 1981–1983, Codebook (ICPSR 9309). Ann Arbor, MI: ICPSR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zalman, M., & Stack, S. (1996). The relationship between euthanasia and suicide in the Netherlands: A time series analysis, 1950–1990. Social Science Quarterly, 77, 577-593.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Steven Stack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Stack, S. Gender, Marriage, and Suicide Acceptability: A Comparative Analysis. Sex Roles 38, 501–520 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018770124576

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018770124576

Keywords

Search

Navigation