Experience of College Students on Suicide Attempts

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the experience of Korean college students on suicide attempts. Methods: Eight students participated and data were collected through in-depth individual interviews between September, 2011 and April, 2012. Data were analyzed using Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory method. Results: Analysis showed that the central phenomenon of suicide attempt experience of college students was 'inextricable despair'. Causal conditions were 'sense of shame by failure to achieve perfect independence' and 'a big gap between reality and ideals'. Contextual conditions were 'extreme situation of being cornered' and 'excessive changes in emotions'. Intervening conditions were 'important others' and 'perspectives on the world'. Action/interaction strategies were 'temporary efforts' and 'gathering up one's mind'. Consequences were 'trauma as one's own hurt', 'conflict between life and death' and 'becoming mature'. Conclusion: The results of this study provide an in-depth understanding of the experience of college students with attempted suicide. It is necessary to develop programs to prevent suicide attempts by college students and these results can be used as a basis for program development. If the original work is properly cited and retained without any modification or reproduction, it can be used and re-distributed in any format and medium.

Qualitative Study on Experiences of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior among College Students

“…이러한 맥락에서 대학생의 자살사고 및 행동 경험을 살 펴보기 위한 질적 연구가 수행된 바 있다. 예를 들어, 자살 을 시도한 적 있는 대학생 8명을 면담한 연구는 대학생이 경험하는 온전한 자립 실패로 인한 자괴감, 친구이나 가족 과 갈등으로 인한 고통이 자살시도의 중요한 원인이며, 스 스로는 해결할 수 없는 절망적인 현실에서 도피하고자 자 살을 시도하게 되었음을 확인하였다 [23]. 한편, 자살을 생 각한 적 있는 대학생 134명에게 개방형 설문으로 자살사 고 유발 상황을 수집하여 질적 내용 분석한 연구는 신체 (예, 통증, 외모 콤플렉스), 심리(예, 비관적 사고, 무가치 감) 및 사회적 염려(예, 관계 갈등, 경제적 어려움, 학업 부 담)가 자살사고를 촉발함을 확인하였다 [24].…”