ERIC Number: EJ762857
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 7
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0748-9633
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Content Analysis of Suicide Notes as a Test of the Motivational Component of the Existential-Constructivist Model of Suicide
Rogers, James R.; Bromley, Jamie L.; McNally, Christopher J.; Lester, David
Journal of Counseling & Development, v85 n2 p182-188 Spr 2007
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.
Descriptors: Content Analysis, Suicide, Letters (Correspondence), Motivation, Psychology, Age Differences, Theories, Religious Factors, Psychological Patterns, Models
American Counseling Association. 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. Tel: 800-422-2648; Tel: 800-347-6647; Fax: 800-473-2329; Web site: http://www.counseling.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A