This thesis investigates the difference in reasons for living between men & women with & without chronic illness. The suicide ideation was determined by rating on a 48 item Reasons for Living questionnaire. Degree of chronic illness & illness related issues were determined by a demographic questionnaire. Results showed that men died by suicide at a higher rate than women. The results from a one-way analysis of variance showed that individuals with chronic illness do not have fewer coping skills than individuals without chronic illness. (119 refs)