Investigating young adults' views about suicidal behaviour in South Africa.
Date
2014-06-11
Authors
Rontiris, Anastasia
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Abstract
Suicidal behaviour is a serious public health problem. Globally and in South Africa
prevalence rates are increasing particularly amongst young adults, highlighting a need for
preventative measures. One way to assist with these efforts is to enhance our understanding
of suicide by investigating young adult’s views towards suicidal behaviour. To date, limited
research exists in the South African context on views towards suicide. The purpose of this
study was to explore young adult’s views about suicidal behaviour within the context of
culture and religion. A qualitative research design was adopted using semi-structured
individual interviews. The participants were ten students from the University of the
Witwatersrand between the ages of twenty and twenty-five. The results were analysed using
thematic content analysis. The results revealed that participants predominantly identified
psychological, social and cultural risk factors for suicidal behaviour, ignoring the influence of
psychopathology. The participants also highlighted the influence of the social and cultural
context on shaping not only their own views, but those of their family, culture and
community. The results indicated that unlike their families, religions and communities, the
participants did not hold negative views towards suicide. Instead they appeared to have a
great deal of sympathy towards those who had attempted or committed suicide and seemed to
denounce the negative views of those around them. Lastly, the results illustrated that role of
gender was central to explanations gender differences in suicidal behaviour. Implications of
the findings for future research and prevention are discussed.