The Systemic Model of Social Disorganization and Homicide and Suicide Trajectories in South Korean Community Areas: Testing the Stream Analogy of Lethal Violence

Abstract

The stream analogy of lethal violence (SALV) argues that homicide and suicide are similarly driven by frustration and aggression. SALV research has examined forces of production (i.e., lethal violence rate [LVR]) and forces of direction (i.e., suicide-homicide ratio [SHR]). The current study applies 6 foundational social disorganization theory (i.e., the systemic model) structural predictors and 3 unique social controls to help explain the LVR and SHR. Using data from 229 South Korean community areas, the study tracked lethal violence for 6 years for each area, yielding 1,374 observations for analysis. Findings reveal mixed support for the systemic model. Urban area was negatively associated with the SHR’s initial level, but positively associated with increased SHR rates of change. Variations in the residential instability and divorce rates had positive effects on only the initial LVR level. Children’s nursery facilities fully mediated the link between structural characteristics and increased SHR rates of change.