STIGMATIZATION OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL PHENOMENON

Abstract

Formulation of the problem. Stigmatization of suicides certainly affects the processes latency within this group and limits the ability of the society to purposely influence it. Therefore, the study of the suicidal behavior stigmatization as a socio-cultural phenomenon will allow to expand the scientific understanding of the phenomenon essence and to indicate the main directions of social control over suicidal behavior.Analysis of recent research and publications. For the present, a substantial scientific background on suicidal issues is formed by experts in sociology, psychology and psychiatry. The works of A.G. Ambrumova, M.A. Berdyaev, E. Durkheim, O.O. Haustova, D. Hume, V.V. Khvedchuk, V.V. Slutsky, P.A. Sorokin, O.V. Timchenko, G. Sh. Chkhvartishvili, L.M. Shestopalova, V.V. Shkuro, E. Schneidman and other humanitarian professionals are widely known. However, the stigmatization of suicides and its social consequences have not been sufficiently studied by domestic scientists. Therefore, the purpose of the given research is to investigate the manifestations of social pressure and the suicide’s stigmatization in order to develop measures for preventing and overcoming them.Main material presentation. Stigmatization - the negative identification by a society of an individual (or a social group) according to a particular sign - has important implications for the following social participation and self-determination of that individual. Under the influence of the society (external stigma), internal stigma is formed in parallel. Internal stigma can manifest itself as a sense of self-destitute, inferiority, helplessness and lead to loss of control over one’s life, inability to establish and develop social contacts. The methodology of our study of suicides stigmatization problems is based on qualitative methods of information collection and analysis. Twenty-four respondents (13 women, 10 men), aged 18 to 35, who had experience in seeking help with a psychologist but had no psychiatric status were interviewed. The most common manifestations of stigma were condemnation and increased control. It is these types that are characteristic for the attitude of family members and close friends of the respondents. If information about the fact of the attempt of committing suicide becomes known to a wider social environment (classmates or colleagues), the most common form of stigma is distrust.Conclusions. Providing qualified professional assistance to people who are at risk of suicide is a prerequisite for preventing the spread of this type of deviant behavior in different social groups. Activity directions in preventing suicidal behavior among young people are determined at the macro-, meso- and micro-social levels.