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Empirically Based Criteria for Rational Suicide: A Survey of Psychotherapists
Author(s) -
Werth James L.,
Cobia Debra C.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1995.tb00922.x
Subject(s) - rationality , psychology , rational planning model , set (abstract data type) , rational analysis , process (computing) , management science , psychiatry , computer science , epistemology , engineering , cognition , philosophy , civil engineering , programming language , operating system
This qualitative study was designed to develop a set of empirically based criteria for rational suicide by asking psychotherapists to define “rational suicide.” Data analysis revealed three components of a rational suicide: (1) the presence of an unremittingly hopeless condition (eight examples provided), (2) a suicidal decision made as a free choice, and (3) the presence of an informed decision‐making process (five elements listed). It is suggested that the criteria may possibly be used in assessing the rationality of suicidal clients.