Marital status, anomie, and forms of social isolation: a case of high suicide rate among the widowed in an urban sub-area.

This study examines the high suicide rate among the widowed in a census tract population in Flint, Michigan, and identifies the social psychological factors of anomie, actual social isolation, and future social isolation as etiologic factors in widow suicide. Explanations of widow suicide are discussed, and recommendations are made for the reduction of the suicide rate.