A qualitative systematic review of experiences and perceptions of youth suicide

Abstract

Background Suicide remains a global issue with over 800,000 people dying from suicide every year. Youth suicide is especially serious due to the years of life lost when a young person takes their own life. Social interactions, perceived support, genetic predisposition and mental illnesses are factors associated with suicide ideation. Objectives To review and synthesize qualitative studies that explored the experiences and perceptions of suicide in people 25 years old and younger. Design Qualitative systematic review. Data sources PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus and CINAHL were searched alongside hand-searching reference lists up to October 2018. Methods Methodological quality was assessed using the qualitative Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. The 27 studies included in the review centered around youth suicide and included interviews with young people and members of the wider community. Thematic synthesis focused on factors leading to suicide attempts, elements important to recovery, beliefs within the community, and treatment/prevention strategies. Results Thematic analysis of the articles revealed four categories: i) triggers and risks leading to suicidality; ii) factors involved in recovery; iii) need for institutional treatment/prevention strategies; and iv) beliefs about suicide at a community level. The first category was further subdivided into: i) behaviours; ii) feelings/emotions; iii) family influences; iv) peer influences; and v) other. The second category was split into: i) interpersonal; ii) cultural; and iii) individual influences, while the third category was divided into i) education; and ii) treatment. Conclusion Youth suicide is a complex issue with many causes and risks factors which interact with one another. For successful treatment and prevention, procedural reform is needed, along with a shift in societal attitudes toward emotional expression and suicide.

An Analysis of Young Clients' Communications About Their Suicidality on a Text Message Helpline: “I'm Scared of What I Might Do to Myself”

“…However, our findings did not support this and instead indicated that the motivation behind suicidal young people's behavior was to alleviate and share their suffering ( 55 , 56 ). Some researchers have argued that young people might lack the language to convey emotional pain effectively ( 25 , 33 ). However, it may also be that young people are not given opportunities and encouragement to express their unhappiness.…”

Correlates of suicidality in young people with depressive disorders: A systematic review

“…Substance use can develop as method of attempting to cope with psychological distress (the self-medication hypothesis) (Khantzian, 1997); there is evidence supporting a longitudinal association between SI and substance use in young people (Marschall-Lévesque et al, 2017;Rioux et al, 2021). The disinhibitory effects of alcohol and heightened tolerance for pain may also play important facilitatory roles in suicidal behaviour (Bridge et al, 2006;Deykin and Buka, 1994;Esposito and Clum, 2002;Grimmond et al, 2019; Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56( 8) Reifman and Windle, 1995) and intoxication (with alcohol or other substances) is found in a high proportion of suicide attempts and suicide deaths among young people (Bohaterewicz et al, 2020;Lahti et al, 2014;Méan et al, 2005;Pelkonen and Marttunen, 2003). Given the relatively high comorbidity of depression and substance use in young people, non-judgmental screening and assessment for substance use could be a useful component of depression treatment approaches (Brown et al, 2016;Winters and Kaminer, 2008).…”

Étude qualitative de l’expérience des parents après la tentative de suicide de leur adolescent

“…Les difficultés relationnelles intrafamiliales sont parmi les facteurs de risque le plus souvent identifiés dans les passages à l'acte suicidaire à l'adolescence (32): disputes, environnement familial stressant, difficultés relationnelles avec la mère, pères éloignés ou indisponibles. La rigidité du cadre éducatif et les difficultés de communications sont des éléments contribuant à une dynamique familiale problématique, et un risque de passage à l'acte (13,18,33).…”