Year: 1998 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.28, no.3, (Fall 1998), p.272-284 SIEC No: 19981155

This paper examined Maris’s theory that some people have life histories that predispose suicidal careers. 2 groups of older women recently relocated to a nursing home were studied. 12 women were selected from a sample of 256. 72 hours of transcribed life histories were content analyzed. The most important contributing correlates to a suicidal career for suicide ideators were: dysfunctional families of origin, poor role models, a feeling of isolation, & a pessimistic outlook.