We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Content Analysis of Suicide Notes as a Test of the Motivational Component of the Existential-Constructivist Model of Suicide.
- Authors
Rogers, James R.; Bromley, Jamie L.; McNally, Christopher J.; Lester, David
- Abstract
A sample of 40 suicide notes were analyzed for motivational content in relation to an existential-constructivist theory of suicide. Results generally supported the 4 theoretical categories of somatic, relational, spiritual, and psychological motivations, with 39 notes having content that could be classified according to the aforementioned categories. Psychological motivations were found to be the most prevalent, followed by relational, spiritual, and somatic concerns. Notes of completed suicides included more relational motivations than did those of suicide attempters, and older writers of notes showed more psychological and fewer spiritual motivations than did younger writers. Recommendations are offered for revising the theory to provide a stronger meaning-based understanding of suicidal behavior.
- Subjects
SUICIDE victims' writings; SELF-destructive behavior; SUICIDE; LAST letters before death; FAREWELLS; SUICIDAL behavior; CAUSES of death; PSYCHOLOGY; SOCIAL sciences
- Publication
Journal of Counseling & Development, 2007, Vol 85, Issue 2, p182
- ISSN
0748-9633
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/j.1556-6678.2007.tb00461.x