Journal List > Korean J Leg Med > v.38(4) > 1087950

Ham, Pyo, Park, Na, Yoo, and Lee: A Qualitative Study of Psychological State of Suicide Victims through Suicide Notes

Abstract

Suicide notes are essential for investigating the psychological state of suicide victims and establishing suicide prevention programs. Since only a few studies have attempted to identify the causes of suicidal behavior through suicide notes, it would be worth examining suicide notes. Quantitative research on suicide has offered a limited understanding of suicide. Results showed that the suicide victims had used the suicide note as a tool for their last communication. Further, in addition to neutral contents such as directions for funeral, the note often contained information about precipitating events that caused the suicidal ideation. Writing a suicide note seemed to help the victims consider concrete plans for suicide. This study proved that qualitative research on suicide notes would be helpful for researchers to understand suicide victims in depth, which cannot be achieved by quantitative methods alone. Based on these results, several suggestions for suicide prevention programs were discussed.

References

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Fig. 1.
Coding procedure.
kjlm-38-155f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Suicide completer's paradigm: types of suicide selection presented in the suicide note.
kjlm-38-155f2.tif
Table 1.
Demographic and Content Analysis of Suicide
  Characteristic No. (%)
Sex Male 30 (62.5)
  Female 18 (37.5)
Residencial district Gyeonggi-do 17 (35.4)
  Seoul 15 (31.3)
  Incheon 8 (16.7)
  Gyeongsangnam-do 3 (6.3)
  Busan 2 (4.2)
  Jeollabuk-do 2 (4.2)
  Gyeongsangbuk-do 1 (2.1)
Age 20s 10 (20.8)
  30s 8 (16.7)
  40s 13 (27.1)
  50s 13 (27.1)
  60s 3 (6.3)
  70s 1 (2.1)
Marital status Single (never married) 26 (54.2)
  Married (common-law 21 (43.8)
  marriage, separation, etc.)  
Living status Living with others 28 (58.3)
  Living alone 15 (31.3)
Job Unoccupied 25 (52.1)
  Occupied 22 (45.8)
  No documents 1 (2.1)
Disease diagnose Psychological illness 18 (37.5)
  (depression, etc.)  
  Physical illness 14 (29.2)
  (diabetes, etc.)  
Precious attempt Absent (no) 41 (85.4)
  Present (yes) 7 (14.6)
Trigger factor Financial problems 16 (33.3)
  No mentioned 12 (25.0)
  Interpersonal problems 11 (22.9)
  Others 6 (12.5)
  Psychological illness 2 (4.2)
  Physical illness 1 (2.1)
Suicide method Poisoning 19 (39.6)
  Hanging 17 (35.4)
  Drowning 4 (8.3)
  Jumping (falling) 4 (8.3)
  Suffocation 2 (4.2)
  Firearm 1 (2.1)
Table 2.
Categories and Paradigms in Suicide Notes
Paradigm Upper-category Sub-category
Casual condition Personal problems Mentioned psychological illness
    Mentioned physical illness
    Mentioned financial problem
  Interpersonal problems There was no one around me
    Sense of betrayal (marital infidelity, etc.)
Contextual condition Negative situational awareness Life is not fair
    Negative emotion toward others
    Negative awareness of current situation
  Negative self-awareness Feeling worthless
  Gap between reality and ideals An unattainable desire
    Regret about life
    Happy memories
Mediating condition Cognitive constriction No escape from current situation
    Death is an only as a solution
    It'll be better without me
  Regarding suicide as a solution I would rather die
    I'll atone through suicide
    Rationalization of suicide
    Mentioned religious belief conflict
  Willingness to live Suicide is a foolish decision
    I want to live
    Live positively
Central phenomenon Losing the willingness to live I feel the futility of life
    I don't want live
Action/Interaction strategy Ask for solution to remaining people Revelation of event aimed at specific person
    Complain of an injustice
  Instruction for appropriate procedure after death Not reveling suicide
    Instruction for a notice of death
    Instruction for funeral details
    Instruction for financial incident
    Live and forget about me
  Emotional catharsis Say “God bless you”
    Let's meet in other world
    Concern for others
    Sorry about family/acquaintance
    Sorry about person who will find body
    Positive emotion for others
  Materialization for realization of suicide attempt Revealing purpose of a suicide note
    There is unmentioned world in a suicide note
    Introspection on suicide
    Relieve
Result Suicide choice Suicide is voluntary choice
Table 3.
Main Categories of Suicide Notes
  Provide information Express emotion
Self Instruction Effusion/complaint
Others Accusation/entreaty y Farewell
TOOLS
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