Being at the center of attention: Iranian women's experience after suicide attempts

Abstract

Purpose A history of suicide attempts is the most important predictor of suicide. The aim of this study was to understand the experience of women after suicide attempts. Design and Methods A purposive sampling method using semistructured in‐depth interviews with seven Iranian women was implemented for data collection, and an interpretative phenomenological approach with the van Manen method was used for data analysis. Findings The main theme was “being at the center of attention,” from which emerged two subthemes: “loved ones keeping an eye on them” and “rain of love.” Practical Implications The study participants experienced satisfaction with their suicide attempt, and some of them felt that they are now being restricted. The study recommends that a special caregiver training program would be beneficial to educate the families in appropriate behavior after a loved one's suicide attempt.

Qualitative research in suicidology: a systematic review of the literature of low-and middle-income countries

“…The included literature identifies that suicidal behaviour is taboo and socially stigmatised in LMICs. This is evidenced by evidence from India [ 12 ], Ghana [ 19 , 23 , 51 , 53 ], Iran [ 29 ], and China [ 54 ]. In addition to discussions regarding suicide, the act of suicide attempt is considered a crime, where for example, people who attempt suicide in Ghana are subject to criminal penalties [ 53 ].…”

“…The root causes of suicidal behaviour among people in LMICs identified in the literature were; the impact of hostility in the family environment (parental conflicts and separation, marital disharmony, conflicts with siblings and other family members) [ 12 ], using attempting as a way to seek attention from family members [ 22 , 29 ] living with financial crises/poverty and chronic illnesses [ 20 , 51 ], superstitious/supernatural beliefs that create suicidal behaviours [ 19 , 53 ], and the guilt of surviving from the previous suicide attempt [ 23 ].…”

“…The literature identified that women were at risk of suicide death when they lacked social support and experienced relationship abandonment [ 19 ]. In addition, the literature also explores the excessive social pressure and restrictions imposed on women in LMIC, to adopt traditional roles in the home [ 29 ]. In LMICs, women are mostly economically dependent on men, and when separation or divorce occurs, these impacts both financial survival and sense of self – with both increasing suicide risk [ 19 ].…”

“…Women in the Middle Eastern countries identified that restrictions in family and social life, requiring male family members’ company for outings [ 56 , 57 ] create significant stress. Feelings of social isolation and discrimination can enhance risk factors for female suicide [ 29 ]. Further given the control of women in some locations, suicide was also reported as a giving voice in a culture that is silencing, for example, Amin et al [ 22 ] identified that women’s suicide in the Middle East countries could be viewed as a protest to a male-dominated society and the discrimination and limitations imposed by the father, brothers, and the husbands’ family.…”

“…Poverty [ 26 ], sociocultural and religious challenges [ 19 , 20 , 27 ], family factors [ 5 , 12 ], physical disability [ 28 ]; shame and stigma associated with mental health illnesses, social challenges, and the impact of being disconnected from family members [ 23 ] are all found to play important roles in suicide across LMICs. Interpersonal factors such as suicide attempts being seen as attention seeking [ 22 , 29 ] and the impact of relationship breakup [ 21 ], as well as traditional masculinity norms as a barrier to help-seeking [ 2 ] potentially, contribute to suicidal behaviours in LMICs. Recent studies have emphasised mental disorders (MDs) [ 30 , 31 ] as well as mental and substance use disorders [ 32 ] as the mounting risk factors for suicide.…”