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American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2004.053314

Analytic Essay Forum

The Limits of Social Capital: Durkheim, Suicide, and Social Cohesion

Howard I. Kushner 1* Claire E. Sterk 1

1 Emory University

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: hkushne{at}sph.emory.edu.


  Abstract

Recent applications of social capital theories to population health emphasize the protective features of social cohesion and social integration. Current social capital theorists draw heavily on Durkheim's work. Along with Durkheim, these investigators assume that modern life disrupts social cohesion and results in a greater risk of morbidity and mortality - including self-destructive behaviors and suicide. We argue that a close reading of Durkheim's evidence supports the opposite conclusion and that the incidence of self-destructive behaviors such as suicide is often greatest among those with high levels of social integration. A reexamination of Durkheim's data on female suicide and suicide in the military suggests that we should be skeptical about recent studies connecting improved population health to social capital.

Key Words: Community Health, Gender, History, Mental Health, Prevention, Social Science




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