Genuine and simulated suicide notes: An analysis of content
Name:
Publisher version
Affiliation
University of Huddersfield ; University of ChesterPublication Date
2014-12Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The present study examined genuine and simulated suicide notes aiming to identify the measures of content that best differentiate between the two. Thirty- three genuine and thirty-three simulated suicide notes were content-analysed and data subjected to Smallest Space Analysis (SSA), a Multidimensional Scaling Procedure. The core of all suicide notes was discovered to be constructed with the use of three variables: expressions of love, positive construction of partner and apologies. Furthermore, four different genuine suicide note themes (‘planned escape’, ‘negative affect and self-mitigation’, ‘positive affect and failed relationship’, ‘lack of self-acceptance’) and three simulated suicide note themes (‘escape’, ‘positive affect and self-blame’, ‘purposeless life’) were identified revealing that authentic suicide note themes were more internally consistent and clearer to interpret.Citation
Forensic Science International, 2014, 245, pp. 151-160.Publisher
ElsevierJournal
Forensic Science InternationalAdditional Links
http://www.journals.elsevier.com/forensic-science-international/Type
ArticleLanguage
enDescription
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Forensic Science International. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Forensic Science International, 245, December 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.10.035ISSN
0379-0738EISSN
1872-6283Scopus Count
Collections
The following license files are associated with this item:
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Working with suicide: An exploration of the tensions that may exist if counsellors’ beliefs and agency suicide policy conflict(University of Chester, 2015-10)This research explores the experiences of counsellors working with suicidal clients with a focus on how counsellors respond to, and are affected by, a suicide policy with which they have disagreements. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. Four counsellors who have tensions with their agency’s suicide policy were interviewed and their experiences explored. The data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The research concludes that counsellors who would otherwise feel confident in their work with suicidal clients feel anxious and concerned for the safety of their clients as a result of working within a policy that feels inadequate. The research also demonstrates that counsellors feel isolated when in this position and points to the need for counsellor organisations, such as the BACP, to provide a forum in which such issues can be addressed. The research has also resulted in the production of suggestions as to how policy could be improved and demonstrated that the implementation of these changes would alleviate the stress felt by counsellors and provide more support to clients experiencing a suicidal crisis. In addition the conclusions of the research suggest, controversially, that it is ethical for counsellors to breach policy if they believe that the policy does not have the best interest of the client at its heart, and if it does not protect the client in times of crisis.
-
Helping clients who are suicidal or self-injuring(SAGE, 2015-12-17)The chapter considers how a pluralistic approach can be used to inform therapeutic work with people at risk of suicide or who are self-injuring. It includes theoretical considerations, practice guidance and ethical implications of such work.
-
Exploring counsellors’ experiences of working with suicidal clients, with particular focus on the issue of responsibility(University of Chester, 2011-11)A qualitative study is presented revisiting the work of Reeves and Mintz (2001) in exploring the experiences of counsellors working with suicidal clients and extending the focus to the issue of locus of responsibility. Following a review of the literature, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with six experienced counsellors currently or recently working with suicidal clients. These were recorded, transcribed and the material analysed using the constant comparative method (Maykut & Morehouse, 1994) to yield twelve categories representing participants experience. Themes emerging included: the impact of training, experience and organisational context, issues of client autonomy and professional responsibility, contrasting thoughts and feelings of counsellors when clients disclose suicidal feelings, ways counsellors seek to work with suicidal clients whilst dealing with their own feelings and finally, the locus of responsibility for the suicidal client and young clients especially. These are placed in context of the literature and limitations; implications for practice and further research are discussed.
