Abstract
Narratives, i.e., stories told by suicidal people, describing personal experiences and meanings given to these experiences, play an important role in understanding suicidal behaviour. The aim of the current study was to analyse suicidal processes that have resulted in attempted suicide and to improve the understanding of protective and risk factors of suicidal behaviour. Special emphasis was paid to religious/spiritual aspects. The material was collected in Estonia by conducting narrative interviews with adults (18 years or older) who had attempted suicide during their lifetimes (N = 8). Thematic analysis was used for analysing the data. The main themes identified from the narratives were: childhood and family relationships, romantic relationships, alcohol/drug abuse, losses, sleep, previous suicide attempts, and religious/spiritual beliefs. The findings of the study show that there are many pathways to attempted suicide and that the process leading to attempted suicide is complex. Protective and risk factors are both multi-faceted.
Highlights
Suicide is a global major public health concern, with approximately 800,000 people dying by suicide each year
The aim of the current study was to analyse suicidal processes that have resulted in attempted suicide and to improve the understanding of protective and risk factors of suicidal behaviour
The material was collected in Estonia by conducting narrative interviews with adults (18 years or older) who had attempted suicide during their lifetimes (N = 8)
Summary
Suicide is a global major public health concern, with approximately 800,000 people dying by suicide each year. Suicide is understood as a process rather than an impulsive single act (Hawton et al 1998; Wasserman 2001a, 2016c). This process starts with a mild and vague desire to die, which can fade away due to personal or interpersonal circumstances. It can develop further into suicidal ideation, and possibly culminate in a suicidal act—a suicide attempt or a suicide (Wasserman 2001a, 2016c). The suicidal process can recur several times during a lifetime
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