RESEARCH ARTICLE
A Convergent-mixed Method Study on the Attitudes and Perception Towards Suicide Memes and Suicidality
Christian Jasper C. Nicomedes1, *
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2024Volume: 17
E-location ID: e18743501281193
Publisher ID: BMS-TOPSYJ-2023-102
DOI: 10.2174/0118743501281193231219064504
Article History:
Received Date: 08/09/2023Revision Received Date: 05/11/2023
Acceptance Date: 27/11/2023
Electronic publication date: 30/01/2024
Collection year: 2024
open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
Background
As the number of social media users rises, so does the popularity of internet memes. This includes suicide memes, which are centered on the surreal aspects of human life, existence, and voluntary death. Opinions vary; some find them triggering and offensive, advocating against their presence on social media. Meanwhile, others see them as harmless entertainment for the audience.
Methods
The researchers examined the perception of suicide memes relative to suicidal behaviors of 230 respondents. The convergent-mixed method was utilized to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously.
Results
The study found that most respondents reported self-injury without suicidal intent, desires to be dead, and suicidal thoughts. Additionally, a significant portion experienced isolation or feelings of loneliness, and the majority had not received any treatment. More participants reported experiencing suicidality over their lifetime and within the past month and found suicide memes entertaining. Qualitative analysis revealed themes including humor, inappropriateness, relatability, triggering, destigmatization, and perception dependence on delivery/poster. Respondents not wishing to die expressed negative reactions, while those with suicidal ideation found the memes amusing or soothing.
Conclusion
The study reveals a complicated and split view among social media users regarding the propriety and impact of such content by finding a substantial correlation between people who engage in self-injury activities and those who find suicide memes amusing. The results imply the need for greater tact and awareness while posting or making suicide-related memes on social media, especially considering the varied viewpoints and experiences of people with different degrees of suicidality.
