Suicidal Behavior as an Indicator of Social Pathology

Aim. To consider the problem of suicidal behavior, its causes, and its characteristics as an indicator of the psychological state of society, as one of the indicators of social pathology in the context of dynamic transformations and crises taking place in modern society.

Methodology. The main content of the study is the understanding of the issues of suicidal behavior in the context of human maladjustment, interconnected with the loss of social stability, the alienation of institutional values that are fundamental to the construction of the sociality of the existing system of society in conditions of dynamic transformations and crises.

Results. The significance of the philosophical conceptualization of the suicide category has been updated. The semantic feature of suicide is a deviation, deviant behavior of a social orientation, expressed in avoiding social reality by ending life due to the loss of communication with society explained by the loss of a person’s social basis, which allows self-realization and contributes to overcoming difficulties, solving problem situations. The criteria of suicidal behavior, its specificity as an indicator of the psychological state of the society and as one of the indicators of social pathology are determined.

Research implications. Mortality from suicide and suicidal behavior, as deviant behavior of a social orientation, should be considered as an indicator of social pathology, as an integral parameter, an indicator of social development that determines and reflects the degree of integration, adaptation of a person to existing conditions and the requirements of the modern society. In the analysis of suicidal behavior, such a category as the meaning of life is fundamental. The presence of a meaning of life in a person is determined by such factors as embeddedness in society, interest in the world and life, where life conditions seem rational and organized, while reality is understood and accepted as a blessing, despite adversity, trials, and difficulties.

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