A taxonomy of factors related to suicidal behavior

This article presents a taxonomy of factors related to suicidal behavior Drawing from a large pool of theoretical formulations, empirical data, and clinical research, it presents several categories of factors: pathological states, phenomenological states, self-destructive processes, personality traits, chronic stressors, acute stressors, facilitators of suicide, background factors, and symptomatic behaviors. The model yields three types of suicidal behavior: the depressed-perfectionistic type, the impulsive type, and the disintegrative type. Each type consists of a different cluster of interactions among the various factors. The factors within each cluster reflect a unifying theme. Some of the possible interactive dynamics are demonstrated and supported by research. The taxonomy and implied model provide an interactive perspective of the causes of suicide, open up avenues for systematic research and evaluation of risk, and suggest several distinct dynamics of suicide that can serve as a basis of psychotherapy and intervention.