Culture of Honor and Violence Against the Self

Lindsey L. Osterman,Ryan P. Brown

doi:10.1177/0146167211418529

Lindsey L. Osterman, Ryan P. Brown

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167211418529

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Abstract

Cultures of honor facilitate certain forms of interpersonal violence. The authors suggest that these cultures might also promote values and expectations that could heighten suicide risk, such as strict gender-role standards and hypersensitivity to reputational threats, which could lead people living in such cultures to consider death as an option when failure occurs or reputation is threatened sufficiently. Study 1 shows that, controlling for a host of statewide covariates, honor states in the United States have significantly higher male and female suicide rates than do nonhonor states, particularly in nonmetropolitan areas among Whites. Study 2 shows that statewide levels of antidepressant prescriptions (an indicator of mental health resource utilization) are lower in honor states, whereas levels of major depression are higher, and statewide levels of depression are associated with suicide rates only among honor states. Finally, Study 3 shows that individual endorsement of honor ideology is positively associated with depression.

Highlights

In October 1944, Japan was rapidly losing its ability to wage war against the Allied forces
Suicide rates are elevated in CH areas, even controlling for a variety of variables that might be confounded with CH status
The association between CH status and suicide rates is especially strong in nonmetropolitan areas, where certain CH dynamics— those regarding reputational concerns—might be more salient because of a person’s greater “visibility” in the smaller communities

Summary

Introduction

In October 1944, Japan was rapidly losing its ability to wage war against the Allied forces. Instead of firing torpedoes at enemy units, kamikaze pilots used their own planes as manned missiles by flying directly into Allied ships, which did extensive damage to their opponents and killed the pilots in the process These bombings demonstrate the high premium placed on honor in the Japanese culture: When faced with the option of surrendering in shame, or dying and taking enemy vessels down with them, Japanese troops preferred to die in the service of their country. According to Nisbett and Cohen (1996), cultures of honor place a unique emphasis on upholding and defending the reputation and person of oneself and one’s family It is of the utmost importance for men in cultures of honor to maintain reputations for being competent providers and strong protectors. A man’s sense that he is a “real man” (and his reputation for being such) depends on his ability to successfully defend himself, his name, and his family against any and every threat

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