Abstract
Durkheim’s idea that war reduces suicide through greater social and political integration has been used to explain suicide trends during the Northern Ireland conflict and in the period of peace. The applicability of Durkheim is critically evaluated through a case study of suicide trends by age, gender and cause of death over a forty year period. The key finding is that the cohort of children and young people who grew up in the worst years of violence during the 1970s, have the highest and most rapidly increasing suicide rates, and account for the steep upward trend in suicide following the 1998 Agreement. Contrary to Durkheim, the recent rise in suicide involves a complex of social and psychological factors. These include the growth in social isolation, poor mental health arising from the experience of conflict, and the greater political stability of the past decade. The transition to peace means that externalised aggression is no longer socially approved. It becomes internalised instead.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 464-482 |
Journal | International Sociology |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 4 |
Early online date | 16 May 2012 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 Jul 2012 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Sociology and Political Science
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Suicide Prevention Policy and Practice in Northern Ireland
Tomlinson, M. (Participant) & Hillyard, P. (Participant)
Impact: Societial Impact, Public Policy Impact