The relationship between suicide and homicide has long been ofinterest. It has often been written that the two are inversely relatedthough more recent reports, especially from North America, suggest thatthe two vary in parallel. In 1970, Kendell hypothesised that suicide andhomicide should be inversely related. This study tested this prediction inan Irish context by examining the suicide and homicide rates of theRepublic of Ireland and Northern Ireland for the years 1950–1990. The results suggest that, in general, suicide and homicide are positivelyrelated and that the inverse relationship hypothesis is limited to periodswhen a society is in a war-like situation. There is a positive relationshipbetween suicide and indictable crime in both countries, more so in the Republic of Ireland. In light of these findings a new hypothesis isproposed that, in general society, suicide, homicide and indictable crimeare positively related and reflect the level of disorder in society.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 53-64
- DOI 10.1023/A:1009653828932
- Authors
- Caroline Mckenna
- Michael J. Kelleher
- Paul Corcoran
- Journal Archives of Suicide Research
- Online ISSN 1573-8159
- Print ISSN 1381-1118
- Journal Volume Volume 3
- Journal Issue Volume 3, Number 1 / March, 1997