Examining the narrative roles in suicide notes

Abstract

The present study examines suicide notes, using a sample of suicide notes from published corpora (N = 50), combined with a sample of recent suicide notes from a suicide website (N = 50). The present study proposes a model of differentiation in completed suicides. The characteristics of the suicide notes were analysed using a content dictionary developed by Giles in 2007, and the data subjected to smallest space analysis. Four themes of suicide completer were discovered: Egoistic Victim, Anomic Hero, Altruistic Professional and Fatalistic Revenger. The implications of these findings and the potential use in therapy work with suicide survivors and those with suicidal ideation are discussed, as well as suggestions for the direction of future research.

Understanding for Prevention: Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Suicide Notes and Forensic Reports

“…They can reveal the degree of impulsivity and hopelessness, the life problems faced, and any signs of intentionality and planning [12]. Although not standard practice, examination of this information should be considered complementary to conventional forensic data, enhancing the understanding of the individual's psychological state, especially in the moments leading up to a successful attempt [18][19][20]. However, this direct first-hand information is not available in the majority of cases, with the percentage of suicides leaving a note ranging widely between 3 and 45% in different studies, being typically around 25% [21][22][23][24].…”