Depression and low self-esteem are commonly considered to be at the root of suicidal ideation. Previous research has examined the correlations between a lack of purpose in life and depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. This study investigated personality differences among student groups who have attempted suicide. Subjects (N=114) were college students who responded to questionnaires about depression, peer relations, self-acceptance, and hostility. Nineteen subjects reported attempting suicide at least once; 45 subjects reported having seriously considered suicide; and 50 subjects reported never having considered it. Even though they may have been years away from the suicide attempt, those who had attempted suicide had significantly lower self-acceptance than the other groups, and those who had considered suicide were significantly lower in self-acceptance than those who had never considered it. Those who had attempted suicide were significantly more depressed than those who had neither attempted nor considered suicide. Results suggest that a depressive personality may be as likely to cause suicide as a depressive episode. It is concluded that cognitive therapy may be helpful for these people as a preventive measure to avoid future attempts. (Author/ABL)