A Discussion of the Value of Cross-Cultural Studies in Search of the Meaning(s) of Suicidal Behavior and the Methodological Challenges of Such Studies

Hjelmeland, Heidi; Kinyanda, Eugene; Knizek, Birthe Loa; Owens, Vicki; Nordvik, Hilmar; Svarva, Kyrre

doi:10.1080/13811110500318257

Cited by 24 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…In particular, research to shed light on cultural values and beliefs, including religion and spirituality, related negatively or positively with suicidal behaviour were perceived as highly essential. A previous suicide research agenda also prioritized the exploration of societal and cultural factors rather than individual-level factors (Niner et al, 2008), which is in line with the importance of a socio-cultural understanding of suicidal behaviour and its prevention argued by a number of Critical Suicidology scholars such as (Colucci, 2006;White, 2015;Kral, 2012;Hjelmeland et al, 2006;Broz, 2015;Marsh, 2015b). Tseng (2001) observed the impact of several cultural factors on suicide using his theory of cultural effects on psychopathology.…”

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confidence: 91%

A suicide research agenda for people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds

2017

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The aim of this study was to establish mental health and suicide research priorities for people from immigrant and refugee background in Australia. This article focuses on the data relevant to the development of the suicide research agenda. This study was conducted using Delphi consensus method with two rounds of online questionnaires. A total of 138 and 86 participants, respectively, completed the first and second rounds of survey. Participants were policy makers, service providers, academics, service users, and carer advocates in Australia with expertise in mental health and/or suicide among people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds. Of the total 268 research questions included in the questionnaires, 70 questions about suicide were ranked as essential by over 50% respondents (i.e., the set level of consensus). In particular, research questions regarded as the greatest priority related to access and engagement with suicide prevention services, suicide protective and risk factors compared to populations not from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, and culturally appropriate assessment of suicide risk.

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Section: Insert Table 2 Herementioning

confidence: 91%

A suicide research agenda for people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds

2017

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“…The notes were obtained from suicide files of Los Angeles, Cal. The USA sample consisted of equal numbers (n=20) in young adults (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), middle adults (25-55), and mature adults (>55) adult groups. The notes from Mexico were reduced from 106 to 51, largely to allow for the matching (age ± 3 years).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, from a cross-cultural perspective, one has to be careful selecting the methods of study, because of the risk of validity and reliability problems between different cultures. 18 Our method will be the study of suicide notes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicide notes from Mexico and the United States: a thematic analysis

et al. 2009

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Suicide notes from Mexico and the United States: a thematic analysis. Salud Publica Mex 2009;51:314-320. AbstractObjective. This study sought to investigate suicide notes drawn from Mexico and the United States (US) as these countries share geographical proximity, but markedly different cultures and suicide rates. Material and Methods. A theoretical conceptual analysis of 102 suicide notes drawn from these countries, matched for age and sex, was undertaken based on a thematic model of suicide developed by Leenaars, 1,2 across countries. Results. The inter-judge reliability was adequate (.86 coefficient of concordance). Conclusions. The results suggested that there are more psychological commonalities than differences. Yet, as this study marks the first one using suicide notes, between Mexico and the USA, much greater study is warranted. Chávez-Hernández AM, Leenaars AA, Chávez-de Sánchez MI, Leenaars L. Notas suicidas de México y Estados Unidos: un análisis temático. Salud Publica Mex 2009;51:314-320. ResumenObjetivo. Este estudio tuvo por objetivo la comparación de notas suicidas (póstumas) de México y de Estados Unidos, países que aunque vecinos geográficos, presentan marcadas diferencias culturales y porcentajes de suicidio. Material y métodos. Se realizó un análisis conceptual de 102 notas (51 mexicanas, 51 estadunidenses), pareadas por edad y sexo. Se utilizó el Modelo temático de suicidio desarrollado por Leenaars 1,2 y que ha sido la base de varios estudios en diversos países. Resultados. La técnica de Análisis de contenido obtuvo un adecuado nivel de concordancia (86%) con el Método de interjueces. Conclusiones. Los resultados informan que existen más semejanzas que diferencias psicológicas entre ambas muestras. El presente es el primer estudio que utiliza notas suicidas entre ambos países.Palabras clave: suicidio/psicología; análisis temático; estudio comparativo; México, Estados Unidos (1) Universidad de Guanajuato. León Guanajuato, México.(2) Investigadores independientes.

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“…Yet, each of these methods has been shown to enhance our understanding of suicide and suicidal behavior (20,21). Furthermore, from a cross‐cultural perspective, one has to be careful in selecting the methods of study, because of the risk of validity and reliability problems between different cultures (22). For example, national mortality statistics and retrospective psychological interviews carry the risk of underreporting because of stigmatization of self‐harm in many countries.…”

Section: Suicide Notesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Martyrs’ Last Letters: Are They the Same as Suicide Notes?

Leenaars¹,

Park²,

Collins

et al. 2010

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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Of the 800,000 suicides worldwide every year, a small number fall under Emile Durkheim's term of altruistic suicides. Study on martyrdom has been limited. There has to date, for example, been no systematic empirical study of martyr letters. We examined 33 letters of Korean self-immolators, compared with 33 suicide notes of a matched sample of more common suicides. An analysis of intrapsychic factors (suicide as unbearable pain, psychopathology) and interpersonal factors (suicide as murderous impulses and need to escape) revealed that, although one can use the same psychological characteristics or dynamics to understand the deaths, the state of mind of martyrs is more extreme, such that the pain is reported to be even more unbearable. Yet, there are differences, such as there was no ambivalence in the altruistic notes. It is concluded that intrapsychic and interpersonal characteristics are central in understanding martyrs, probably equal to community or societal factors. More forensic study is, however, warranted.

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A Discussion of the Value of Cross-Cultural Studies in Search of the Meaning(s) of Suicidal Behavior and the Methodological Challenges of Such Studies

Cited by 24 publications

References 8 publications

A suicide research agenda for people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds

A suicide research agenda for people from immigrant and refugee backgrounds

Suicide notes from Mexico and the United States: a thematic analysis

Martyrs’ Last Letters: Are They the Same as Suicide Notes?

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