Exploring suicide potential and the actualising tendency: A qualitative study of suicide notes

Background: This article using suicide notes to explore the reasons individuals gave to end their life, and the links between suicide and the actualising tendency (AT). Suicide remains one of the most complex and challenging presentations in the mental health field. While much research has focused on risk factors, protective factors, and epidemiological trends, relatively less attention has been paid to first-person accounts of suicidal experience. The AT, defined by Rogers (1951) as the inherent drive within all living organisms to develop, grow, and realise their full potential, provides a provocative lens through which to explore the paradox of suicidal behaviour. Method and Findings: Using stanza and narrative analysis, 31 suicide notes were analysed which identified the reasons individuals provided for ending their life. Notes were also analysed in relation to propositions of the actualising tendency. Four predominate narratives were identified: ‘Can’t live with’, ‘Can’t live without’, ‘The other’, and ‘No other’. In addition, it was concluded that four notes indicated that suicide was an expression of the actualising tendency. Conclusion: This research sheds light on the complex, and sometimes contradictory, nature of the AT. It shows that behaviours that appear harmful on the surface may, in fact, be driven by a deep, often unconscious, need to protect the self from greater perceived harm.

Citation

McGarry, A., & Reeves, A. (2026). Exploring suicide potential and the actualising tendency: A qualitative study of suicide notes. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 26(1), e70097. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70097

Publisher

Wiley

Journal

Counselling and Psychotherapy Research

URI

https://chesterrep.openrepository.com/handle/10034/629884

DOI

10.1002/capr.70097

Type

Article

Description

ISSN

1473-3145

EISSN

1746-1405

Additional Links

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/capr.70097