Abstract

The purpose of this discourse analytic study was to explore and examine suicide attempt survivors' suicidal discourse. Although there is robust knowledge and quantitative research regarding suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, qualitative research on this population could help to expand what is known about and what can help to prevent future suicide attempts. Often, the research on suicidal ideation and attempts have focused on prevention, intervention, and behavioral risk factors. Prior research concentrates on suicide risk and protective factors, yet little is written about the basis and origin of suicidal ideation and behavior among adolescents. Further, few of these studies center the voices and stories of individuals who have engaged in a suicide attempt. This study uses a discourse analytic approach focusing on suicidal ideation, suicidal risk factors, and the etiology of suicide attempts among adolescents. The purpose of this discourse analytic study is to identify survivors' conceptualization of their suicidal ideation and behaviors between the ages of 10-19. Themes of suicide and suicide discourse are uncovered through interviews from the podcast Suicide Noted, hosted by Sean Wellington. Findings from this study indicated four themes from the thematic analysis were based on interviews (a) isolation, (b) defining an attempt, (c) lifelong ideation, and (d) suicide conversations. To address discourse analysis, I analyzed participants suicide figured worlds of attempt survivors on the podcasts, and the results revealed suicide survivors' choice to die, the pain and loneliness of life, shielding others, and suicide being an incomplete figured world for adolescents ideating about suicide. In addition, the suicide survivors figured worlds were explored. The results add to the limited literature about suicide discourse among youth.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2022

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Campbell, Laurie

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Community Innovation and Education

Department

Counselor Education and School Psychology

Degree Program

Education; Counselor Education

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009357; DP0027080

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027080

Language

English

Release Date

December 2022

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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