In Defense of the Idiographic Approach: Studies of Suicide Notes and Personal Documents

This paper is in defense of the idiographic approach to understanding suicide, which involves the intense study of individuals, primarily using qualitative methods. Because this method is often questioned in regards to suicidology, the author argues for the advantages of this approach, noting especially the assets of personal documents (e.g., suicide notes) in such studies. Common criticisms of the study of the individual are addressed. A case study is presented to show the richness of a qualitative methodology to understanding the suicidal mind. (20 refs)