Suicide Notes: Their Utility in Understanding the Motivations Behind Suicide and Preventing Future Ones

Abstract

Among the different research methods on suicide notes, the theoretical conceptual approach allows a particularly thorough understanding of the suicidal act. The present study focuses on 78 suicide notes collected in Geneva, Switzerland, between 2006 and 2014. The socio-demographic and medical data of the writers’ notes were collected. The conceptual content of the notes was analyzed by two independent raters using the Leenaars method. The results showed that the concepts that appeared most frequently in the notes were: Inability to adjust, Rejection-aggression, Unbearable pain, and Ego. Very few differences were found in the conceptual content when stratified for age, gender, socio-economic status, or religion. This study confirms and complements the findings of similar studies on the content of suicide notes.

Keywords:

• content analysis
• Leenaars method
• prevention
• suicide notes

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Geneva University Hospitals [7500.00 CHF].

Notes on contributors

Gerard Niveau

Gerard Niveau, University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Genève, Switzerland.

Estelle Frioud

Estelle Frioud, University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Genève, Switzerland.

Diego Aguiar

Diego Aguiar, University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Genève, Switzerland.

Patrick Ruch

Patrick Ruch, Information Sciences Department, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Geneva, Switzerland.

Olivia Auckenthaler

Olivia Auckenthaler, University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Genève, Switzerland.

Justin Baudraz

Justin Baudraz, University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Genève, Switzerland.

Tony Fracasso

Tony Fracasso, University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Genève, Switzerland.