An empirical typology of suicide

Abstract

Ten typologies of suicide previously proposed by suicidologists were applied to a large sample (N -404) of completed suicide cases and classified by judges as descriptive or not descriptive of each case. Classifications showed a high degree of interrater reliability, and the typologies were able to classify from 61 % to 86% of the cases. Considerable overlap was found among typology subtypes. Cross-tabulations between classifications revealed five clusters of subtypes which described 86% of all cases: Escapist. Confused. Aggressive. Alienated. and Depressive/Low Self-Esteem. These five clusters appear distinct from each other as described by their characteristics. Discussion focuses on implications for the development of risk assessment and type-specific treatments.