In a previous study the authors had concluded that anonymous suicidal callers have a tendency to redress feelings of low esteem by frustrating other individuals. A study by Wilkins completely contradicted these findings. Discrepancies between the 2 studies are explained in terms of differences in the 2 centres studied (Los Angeles versus Chicago), in the methods employed & the time period in which the 2 studies were conducted. (7 refs.) (RM)