This article presents findings from recent research demonstrating a significant relationship between parental introjects or "voices," and self-destructive behavior. The "voice" is defined as a systematized, integrated pattern of negative thoughts accompanied by angry affect, that is the basis of an individual's maladaptive behavior. The development of these negative thought processes often is attributable to childhood trauma due to inadequate, immature, or hostile parenting of the individual in question. This theoretical construct of "voice" led to the development of the Firestone Voice Scale for Self-Destructive Behavior. Results of administering the scale to 507 subjects in psychotherapy showed that the instrument distinguished between individuals with a past history of suicide attempts and those without such a history. Factor analysis revealed three factors of increasing self-destructiveness: low self-esteem or inwardness; extreme self-hate; and actual impulses toward destruction of the self. Empirical evidence indicates that the latter category, "destruction of the self," may contain primary factors distinguishing actual suicide attempters from those individuals who represent a lesser threat to themselves. Assessing the level and intensity of destructive "voices" correlates with suicide attempts and probability of actual suicide potential. (Contains 42 references.) (CC)