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.
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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.