The lived experience of adolescent attempted suicide

Abstract

Background: Adolescent suicide is a major global public health concern. Self-harm and the history of previous attempt(s) are robust risk factors for future suicide and they occur most often amongst adolescents. Perspectives from adolescent suicide attempters are valuable in understanding and preventing the relapse of suicidal behaviors.

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to explore the lived experience of Singaporean adolescents who were directly involved in suicidal behaviors. Their life difficulties and coping efforts prior to the attempt, how they made sense of the attempt, as well as factors that were helpful or unhelpful for them were explored.

Methods: Rich, semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted on four female adolescents admitted to an in-patient psychiatric ward for attempted suicide. Data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed with a grounded theory approach to thematic analysis.

Findings: 11 themes emerged, organized into 4 main categories: Life Difficulties, Barriers to Help-Seeking, Underlying Function of Suicide Attempt, and Post-Attempt Dyadic Change. A model presenting the pathway(s) of adolescent suicide attempts, with two reciprocal mechanisms that perpetuate the development and recovery of adolescent suicide attempts is proposed.

Conclusion: Familial relational factors drive the development, maintenance and trajectory of the suicide attempt. Key areas for informing developmentally and contextually appropriate intervention, assessment, and prevention strategies are highlighted.

Keywords: attempted suicide, adolescents, qualitative, thematic analysis, Singapore