Suicide and Pseudocide: A Reanalysis of Maris's Data

Abstract

A reanalysis of data from a recent article in this journal on deviant females provides a reinterpretation of their self-destructive behavior. The more elaborate path analysis presented fails to support the dominant psychiatric theory that reactive depression leads to suicide attempts and ultimately suicide. In interpreting the paths, depression is reconceptualized as a defense mechanism inhibiting suicide for a female who has a history of a deviant career pattern. Secondly, the contention that suicide attempts are self-therapy is clarified by introducing the concept pseudocide, with no implication that pseudocides eventually lead to suicides. Finally, the path analysis suggests that female suicide is primarily attributable to weak defenses, those of a female who has evidently pursued a straight career pattern.