Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Qualitative research on suicide in East Asia: a scoping review
Christina S Han1, John S Ogrodniczuk, John L Oliffe
1School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Christina.han@nursing.ubc.ca
Background:
Suicide is a serious problem in East Asia. Yet, there is a significant lack of research on the topic, particularly using qualitative methodology.
Objectives:
This scoping review reports on findings drawn from 11 qualitative studies, providing up-to-date knowledge and understandings about suicide in East Asian populations.
Methods:
A web-based literature search was performed to identify empirical qualitative research articles addressing suicide in East Asia, published from January 2002 to December 2011.
Results:
Three themes were identified within the reviewed studies; (1) influence of cultural beliefs; (2) the role of caregivers; and (3) specific sociological contexts. These themes are interrelated rather than mutually exclusive.
Conclusion:
The findings drawn from this scoping review reveal specific as well as broad contexts where suicidal ideation and behaviours occur among East Asians. To advance understandings, future studies should focus on comparative and longitudinal research to distil prevailing trends as well as the specificities that reside among particular East Asian subgroups (i.e. gender, sexual identity and generational) as a means to developing culturally sensitive and targeted suicide prevention programs.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosurgery
Historical Development of Psychosurgery
In the 1930s, Portuguese neurologist Antonio Egas Moniz introduced a surgical procedure designed...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Psychological and Sociocultural Causes of Schizophrenia
Depression: Overview
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Ethics in Research