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The Kerala conundrum: exploring the relationship between social change and high suicide rates in the Indian state of Kerala

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posted on 2022-03-29, 00:02 authored by Vikas Arya
The state of Kerala has a unique history of high social development, rapid social change and high suicide rates. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the effects of rapid social change on suicide rates of Kerala within a broader Indian context—that is, to show how the suicide problem of Kerala reflects the overall suicide problem in India. The association between rapid social change and suicide rates is explored by sensitising Durkheim’s suicide theory in the Indian context. The study utilises a mixed method approach consisting of bivariate analyses and linear regression modelling (quantitative analysis) and in-depth interviews (qualitative analysis). The results highlight that high suicide rates of Kerala and India more generally, are a result of a state of conflict or anomie developed through an ongoing clash between the traditional and the modern ways of living. The states with high Hindu populations are found to be susceptible to suicide as historical sanctions towards suicide in Hindu culture continue to have their impact on modern Hindu suicides. Also, more affluent states and states with higher literacy rates tend to have higher suicide rates. For example, south Indian states have higher suicide rates while north Indian states have lower suicide rates. Furthermore, high unemployment rates seem to have a weak impact on suicide rates across India. All these results indicate that the more ‘modernised’ parts of India suffer from higher suicide rates.

History

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction -- Chapter 2. Suicide in India -- Chapter 3. Research methodology -- Chapter 4. Social causes of suicide: quantitative analysis -- Chapter 5. Social causes of suicide: qualitative analysis -- Chapter 6. Conclusion.

Notes

Theoretical thesis. Bibliography: pages 82-103

Awarding Institution

Macquarie University

Degree Type

Thesis MRes

Degree

MRes, Macquarie University, Faculty of Arts, Department of Sociology

Department, Centre or School

Department of Sociology

Year of Award

2017

Principal Supervisor

Shaun Wilson

Rights

Copyright Vikas Arya 2017. Copyright disclaimer: http://mq.edu.au/library/copyright

Language

English

Extent

1 online resource (122 pages) illustrations

Former Identifiers

mq:70511 http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/1264989

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