Religion and Suicide in the African-American Community

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Kevin E. Early

Forewords by Ronald L. Akers and Robert Davis

Book Code: ERS/

ISBN: 0-313-28470-9

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-28470-0

DOI:

160 pages, tables

Greenwood Press

Publication: 10/30/1992

List Price: $95.00 (UK Sterling Price: £54.95)

Availability: Print on demand

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4

Subjects:

Series Title: Contributions in Afro-American and African Studies

Series Number: 158

Description: Suicide among African Americans occurs at about half the rate with which it occurs among white Americans. Why is the black rate of suicide so much lower, particularly when one considers the effects of racism and other socio-economic factors on African Americans? One answer that has been offered is that churches within the African-American community have a greater influence than among white Americans and that they provide amelioration of social forces that would otherwise lead to suicide. To date no other book has provided an in-depth ethnographic study of the buffering effect of the black church against suicide. Findings from Early's study indicate that there is a consensus within the black community in terms of its attitudes and beliefs toward suicide. Early concludes that suicide is alien to underlying African-American belief systems and a complete denial of what it means to be black. This important study will be invaluable to sociologists and others studying contemporary race relations and social problems.

Table of Contents:

Theoretical Framework
The Role of the Church
Black Suicide, Drugs, and Crime
Survey of Church Members
Conclusions, Limitations, and Implications
Appendices: Letter of Introduction
Explanation of Study Letter
Interview Schedule
Vignettes
Survey
Informed Consent
Survey Results
Methodology
References
Name Index
Subject Index

LC Card Number: 92-19425

LCC Class: HV6545

Dewey Class: 362.2


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