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This study of fifteen cases of suicidal and fifteen cases of accidental death is based on the theory that psychological forces brought into play by certain life stresses can manifest themselves as serious accidents as well as suicides. Only males were chosen and they were matched for age. All suicides were self-inflicted gun shootings, and all accidental deaths were one-car accidents in which the driver was the victim. Both groups tended to be conscientious men who were concerned with performing well. They would often respond to stress with increased verbal and motoric activity. One-half were considered impulsive in their actions. One-half of both groups had been drinking and used alcohol as a way to cope with stress.
Differences between the two groups were manifest in that the men who had died by accident had no clear-cut traumatic incident before death. However, two-thirds of these men were contemplating or had just moved into situations of greater responsibility. These men were particularly sensitive to being slighted or criticized by others. In general they tended to have a life style of activity and exhibitionism. Those who died by suicide had, just prior to their deaths, experienced the loss of an important person, or a feeling of failure or being unloved.