Understanding Suicide: Why We Don't and How We Might

This provocative and erudite book highlights theoretical and methodological challenges that have plagued and continue to plague the field of suicidology. The basic premise is that recent research has not served to advance our understanding of suicidal behavior, but tends to repeat older research, often apparently without awareness that we are often merely "reinventing the wheel." As the authors maintain: "Very little of consequence has appeared in suicidology for many years - no new theory and no ground-breaking research." The book discusses the contributions that each of the major disciplines have made to suicidology (is there a misplaced devotion to Durkheim's 100-year-old theories?), and provides an overview of research and theories in some typical areas. Drawing from this, specific recommendations as to what researchers and theorists can do in the future to advance our understanding of suicide and suicide prevention are offered. It is hoped that these recommendations will stimulate research and theorizing so that our understanding of suicide will progress.