Journal
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
Volume 295, Issue -, Pages 839-845Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.08.096
Keywords
Celebrity suicide; Media; Suicide ideation; Help-seeking; Vulnerability
Categories
Funding
- Ministry of Science and Technology [MOST 108-2629-B-002-002-MY2, MOST 105-2314-B532-004-MY3]
- National Health Research Institutes [NHRI-EX10810818PI]
- Taipei City Department of Health [10801-62-019]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Individuals affected by the media coverage of celebrity suicide tend to be females, younger, have past psychiatric treatment, and show increased interest in the incident. Those affected who show suicidal tendencies often have negative views of media reporting impact, pessimistic attitudes towards treatment, and history of psychiatric treatment.
Background: We investigated factors associated with vulnerability to the psychological impact of celebrity suicide news reporting after the suicide of an emerging Taiwanese novelist, Ms Yi-Han Lin. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey. Participants completed a questionnaire which asked whether they were affected by the media coverage of Lin's suicide and whether they would seek help if affected. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with being affected by the celebrity suicide media reporting and, among those affected, factors associated with feeling suicidal or not seeking help. Results: A total of 1258 respondents (81% females) completed the survey. Affected individuals (n=907; 70%) were more likely to be females, younger (age < 40 years), have past psychiatric treatment, and show increased interest in the incident (e.g., spending more time on reading the celebrity suicide news) than non-affected individuals. Among those affected, negative views of the media reporting impact, pessimistic attitude toward both depression treatment and suicide prevention, and having a history of past psychiatric treatment were associated with feeling suicidal, while low education attainment, increased interest in the celebrity suicide, and permissive attitude toward inappropriate media reporting were additionally associated with not seeking help. Limitations: Selection bias of participants through internet-based surveying should be considered. Conclusion: Individuals affected by the media coverage of celebrity suicide showed similar demographic and mental health characteristics as those of the deceased celebrity. Poor mental health and suicide prevention literacy may increase the risk of psychological impact and not seeking help. Future interventions could target at enhancing mental health literacy and help seeking intention in vulnerable individuals.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available