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Published on: March 2, 2015
The Mask of Suicide
Summary
Many individuals who die by suicide may mask their intentions, with 80% of survivors reporting deception. This psychological autopsy study explored reasons for this "mask of suicide," finding age influenced deception levels.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Suicidal individuals often provide warnings, but a significant percentage may mask their intentions.
- Previous estimates suggested up to 20% of suicidal individuals might dissemble, a figure this study investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the phenomenon of the "mask of suicide" through psychological autopsy.
- To examine how age, sex, and survivor relationships relate to suicidal dissembling.
- To identify themes associated with the reasons for masking suicidal intent.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a psychological autopsy (PA) study in Norway involving 120 survivors/informants.
- Collected data through interviews focusing on manifest and latent content of deception.
- Analyzed themes related to the mask of suicide from 95 survivor interviews.
Main Results:
- 80% of informants reported evidence of deception (dissembling) in the deceased, exceeding prior estimates.
- Three primary themes for the mask of suicide emerged: inability to adjust, relational problems, and weakened resilience.
- Older deceased individuals were perceived to exhibit more dissembling compared to younger ones; no significant differences were found based on sex or survivor relationship closeness.
Conclusions:
- The study indicates a higher prevalence of suicidal dissembling than previously suggested.
- Understanding the reasons behind the mask of suicide is crucial for suicide prevention.
- Further research is needed to fully comprehend and address the impact of dissembling and self-deception in suicide.
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