NCJ Number
140321
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 125-127
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Data collected between 1979 and 1981 on household size, poverty levels, and suicide and homicide rates for the 12 Indian Health Service areas were used to examine the relationship between density and pathology in human populations. The author hypothesized that the results would show a positive correlation between household size and suicide and homicide rates.
Abstract
The findings showed that the American Indian population has a significantly larger household size and a higher poverty level and suicide and homicide rates than the general American population. While the results indicated a moderately strong association between household size and suicide/homicide rates, the correlation between household size and percent of the population below the poverty level was stronger, suggesting that the first correlation may be spurious. Further analysis showed that when the effects of poverty were controlled for, suicide and homicide rates among Indian Health Service areas were similar irrespective of household size. One explanation for this result is the central socialization role played by the extended family in many Indian tribes. 2 tables and 9 references