American Indian Homicide: A County-Level Analysis Utilizing Social Disorganization Theory

Abstract

Research on lethal violence has generally been directed at White and African American populations, with few studies addressing this issue among American Indians. Interestingly, national data indicate that American Indians have one of the highest homicide rates among racial groups. In an effort to identify the etiological underpinnings of this violence, the current study examines whether variation in county-level American Indian homicide rates can be explained by social disorganization theory. Specifically, the authors investigate the impact of economic deprivation, ethnic heterogeneity, mobility, and family disruption on homicide levels among American Indian populations. © 2006 Sage Publications