Citation

Sisask M, Värnik A, Wasserman D. Arch. Suicide Res. 2005; 9(1): 87-98.

Affiliation

Estonian-Swedish Suicidology Institute at the Estonian Center of Behavioral and Health Sciences, Tallinn, Estonia. merike.sisask@neti.ee

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110590512985

PMID

16040583

Abstract

The presented study covered the analysis of 7 Internet media portrayals and 188 readers' spontaneous Internet comments about a case of two adolescents who survived a serious suicide attempt. Articles with photographs attracted the most responses (82%), irrespective of the length and content of the articles. More than half of the comments expressed readers' negative attitude (ironic 31% and angry 28%) while 21% of them remained neutral or indifferent. Twenty one percent of readers tried to initiate a serious discussion about the causes and prevention of suicide. An association was found between the style of media reporting and the number of readers' comments as well as certain aspects of the content of the comments. Inadequate reporting of suicidal behavior is associated with comments expressing oversimplified attitudes towards suicide. The influence of suicide reporting on the Internet on attitude formation in the general population should not be underestimated.