Mental Pain and its Relationship to Suicidality and Life Meaning

Shneidman (1996) proposed that intense mental pain is related to suicide. Similarly, Frankl (1963) argued that the loss of life’s meaning is related to intense mental pain. This research aimed to test Shneidman’s proposition by comparing the mental pain of suicidal & nonsuicidal individuals. In 2 studies, a relationship between a newly developed measure of mental pain, suicidal behavior & life meaning were examined. Results confirmed both propositions. Implications for the study of mental pain & suicide are discussed. (36 refs)