Additional Value of Peer Informants in Psychological Autopsy Studies of Youth Suicides

Abstract

In this study, we examined the feasibility and added value of including peer informants in a psychological autopsy study of youth suicides. Peer semi-structured interview data from 16 cases were analyzed qualitatively and compared to parent data. Results show that peers added information to parents’ narratives in general and particularly on social relationships, bullying, school experiences, social media, and family relations. Peers also provided additional information on the presence of certain issues (such as social media contagion) as well as on the emotional impact from certain adverse events that seemed to have functioned as precipitating factors. We conclude that including peers in psychological autopsy studies of youth suicides is feasible and of added value but that more research is desirable. The results initially can be used in the design of psychological autopsies so that the maximum amount of information about each suicide will be learned.

Completed Suicide Linked to the COVID-19 Pandemic by Using the Psychological Autopsy Method in Sibiu County, Romania: Case Series and Literature Review

“…One of these cases was the one of a 12-year-old; the lack of prior psychiatric disease in this particular case came as no surprise given the fact that lower rates of psychopathology are observed in suicide among children [ 34 ]. The literature data support the inclusion of colleges in psychological autopsy studies of suicide cases among children and adolescents as bringing added value, but further research is needed in this area, as well as additional information related to the impact of different events or even contagions on social networks [ 58 ]. An optimal approach is to collect information from other key informants [ 23 ] who may not be relatives or caregivers, but this was difficult in the pandemic context.…”

Suicide warning signs that are challenging to recognize: a psychological autopsy study of Korean adolescents

“…Fourth, as this is a postmortem and retrospective study, limitations may arise due to recall bias. Conducting a psychological autopsy with two or more interviewees, particularly involving peers in the case of adolescents, can offer valuable insights into suicide [ 121 ]. Despite potential ethical and economic challenges, involving peers in psychological autopsies can be a practical method for screening and intervening with adolescents affected by a friend’s suicide.…”