Citation

Leenaars AA. Arch. Suicide Res. 2002; 6(1): 19-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110213125

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The two main approaches to understanding suicide are the nomethetic and the idiographic. The nomothetic approach deals with generalizations of the event, whereas the idiographic approach involves the intense study of individuals, primarily using qualitative methods. The former is well ingrained in suicidology; the latter is often questioned. This paper is in defense of the idiographic study and argues for the advantages of this approach, noting especially the assets of personal documents (e.g., sucide notes) in such studies. Common criticisms of the study of the individual (the particular) are addressed. To illustrate the approach, a case study is presented to show the richness of a qualitative methodology to understanding the suicidal mind.