Original scientific paper

ORIGINS OF SUICIDALITY: COMPATIBILITY OF LAY AND EXPERT BELIEFS - QUALITATIVE STUDY

Tina Zadravec ; University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Onja Grad ; University Psychiatric Hospital Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

Background: Today there exist different views on origins of suicidal behaviour, which can influence the help-seeking behaviour
and the adherence to the treatment of suicidal people.
Subjects and methods: The beliefs lay people and patients have about the origins of suicidal behaviour as well as the
compatibility of their beliefs with the views of the mental health personnel (general practitioners and psychiatrists) were assessed. 45
semi-structured interviews with the general population, suicide attempters, general practitioners and psychiatrists were conducted,
audio typed, transcribed and a thematic analysis of the data was carried out.
Results: The results indicated the incompatibility of the views. The general population and the suicide attempters favoured
psychological explanations of suicidal behaviour, whereas the general practitioners and psychiatrists promoted medical
explanations. The only common theme was perception of the suicidal crisis as a crucial factor in suicidality.
Conclusions: Lay people and experts believe that suicidal crisis is the main origin of suicidal behaviour. The awareness of this
common denominator and also of the differences in opinions between lay people and experts should be kept in mind when planning
and implementing prevention and treatment programmes if we wish to promote help-seeking behaviour and attain good adherence to
treatment.

Keywords

suicide - public opinion - lay people - health personnel

Hrčak ID:

161171

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/161171

Publication date:

10.6.2013.

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