Are Young Adults’ Suicides Psychologically Different From Those of Other Adults? (The Shneidman Lecture)

Discusses 8 clusters as possible predictors of suicide notes &, by implication, suicide in order to determine whether young adults’ suicides are psychologically different from those of other adults. Findings indicate that, while young adults’ suicides differ in some clusters, considerable commonalities exist across the adult life span. Emphasizes that a lifespan developmental perspective is essential in attempting to understand young adult suicides. Examples of suicide notes are included.