The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews

<p>This article presents the results of a qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews conducted with adolescents (n=13, aged 13&ndash;17), who were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility after attempted suicide. Content analysis yielded groups of words descri...

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Main Authors: N.A. Polskaya, D.K. Yakubovskaya, D.A. Sharova, A.Ya. Basova
Format: Article
Language:Russian
Published: Moscow State University of Psychology and Education 2024-11-01
Series:Клиническая и специальная психология
Online Access:https://psyjournals.ru/en/journals/cpse/archive/2024_n3/Polskaya_Yakubovskaya_et_al
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author N.A. Polskaya
D.K. Yakubovskaya
D.A. Sharova
A.Ya. Basova
author_facet N.A. Polskaya
D.K. Yakubovskaya
D.A. Sharova
A.Ya. Basova
author_sort N.A. Polskaya
collection DOAJ
description <p>This article presents the results of a qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews conducted with adolescents (n=13, aged 13&ndash;17), who were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility after attempted suicide. Content analysis yielded groups of words describing the circumstances of the suicide attempt based on semantic proximity. The following groups emerged (ordered by descending frequency of use): words describing one's psychological state, descriptions of family and relatives, words related to studies, school or college, and descriptions of relationships with peers. Within the framework of the thematic analysis, two superordinate themes and nine subthemes were identified, revealing the subjective experience of the suicide attempt. The first superordinate theme, <em>psychological distress</em>, includes the subthemes of &ldquo;negative thoughts and emotions&rdquo;, &ldquo;mental pain&rdquo; and &ldquo;fear of surviving&rdquo;. The second superordinate theme, <em>interpersonal vulnerability</em>, includes the subthemes of &ldquo;feeling misunderstood by loved ones&rdquo;, &ldquo;conflicts&rdquo;, &ldquo;loneliness&rdquo;, &ldquo;experiencing the loss of important relationships&rdquo;, &ldquo;self-destructive way of communicating problems&rdquo;, &ldquo;the excessive importance of emotional relationships with peers&rdquo; and &ldquo;sensitivity&rdquo;. These findings suggest that interpersonal relationships may play a significant role in adolescents&rsquo; suicide attempts, including both family relationships (primarily relationships with mothers) and relationships with peers; moreover, the state of psychological distress is described by adolescents in direct connection with dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships (conflicts, rejection, neglect). Thus, interpersonal vulnerability, along with psychological distress, is one of the key characteristics of adolescent suicides.</p>
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spelling doaj-art-23f41676c945444db0fc0f258e7d39082025-02-04T19:21:22ZrusMoscow State University of Psychology and EducationКлиническая и специальная психология2304-03942024-11-0113314116510.17759/cpse.2024130307The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured InterviewsN.A. Polskaya0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7305-5577D.K. Yakubovskaya1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6182-0585D.A. Sharova2https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6348-719XA.Ya. Basova3https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5001-8554Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents named after G.E. SukharevaScientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents named after G.E. Sukhareva,Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents named after G.E. SukharevaScientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents named after G.E. Sukhareva <p>This article presents the results of a qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews conducted with adolescents (n=13, aged 13&ndash;17), who were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility after attempted suicide. Content analysis yielded groups of words describing the circumstances of the suicide attempt based on semantic proximity. The following groups emerged (ordered by descending frequency of use): words describing one's psychological state, descriptions of family and relatives, words related to studies, school or college, and descriptions of relationships with peers. Within the framework of the thematic analysis, two superordinate themes and nine subthemes were identified, revealing the subjective experience of the suicide attempt. The first superordinate theme, <em>psychological distress</em>, includes the subthemes of &ldquo;negative thoughts and emotions&rdquo;, &ldquo;mental pain&rdquo; and &ldquo;fear of surviving&rdquo;. The second superordinate theme, <em>interpersonal vulnerability</em>, includes the subthemes of &ldquo;feeling misunderstood by loved ones&rdquo;, &ldquo;conflicts&rdquo;, &ldquo;loneliness&rdquo;, &ldquo;experiencing the loss of important relationships&rdquo;, &ldquo;self-destructive way of communicating problems&rdquo;, &ldquo;the excessive importance of emotional relationships with peers&rdquo; and &ldquo;sensitivity&rdquo;. These findings suggest that interpersonal relationships may play a significant role in adolescents&rsquo; suicide attempts, including both family relationships (primarily relationships with mothers) and relationships with peers; moreover, the state of psychological distress is described by adolescents in direct connection with dissatisfaction with interpersonal relationships (conflicts, rejection, neglect). Thus, interpersonal vulnerability, along with psychological distress, is one of the key characteristics of adolescent suicides.</p>https://psyjournals.ru/en/journals/cpse/archive/2024_n3/Polskaya_Yakubovskaya_et_al
spellingShingle N.A. Polskaya
D.K. Yakubovskaya
D.A. Sharova
A.Ya. Basova
The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews
Клиническая и специальная психология
title The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews
title_full The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews
title_fullStr The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews
title_short The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Adolescents' Suicidal Behavior: A Qualitative Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews
title_sort role of interpersonal relationships in adolescents suicidal behavior a qualitative analysis of semi structured interviews
url https://psyjournals.ru/en/journals/cpse/archive/2024_n3/Polskaya_Yakubovskaya_et_al
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