The Dialectics of Stigma, Silence, and Misunderstanding in Suicidality Survival Narratives

ABSTRACT

Modern suicidologists have noted a dearth of qualitative research on suicide. The first author conducted 20 in-depth interviews with formerly suicidal adults to understand how they accounted for their experiences contemplating or attempting suicide. According to participants, stigma necessitated impression management, which contributed to the production of silence and misunderstanding. Silence and misunderstanding reinforced stigma. This complex, dialectical, belief system about stigma yields insight into the interpretive culture of surviving suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. These beliefs about suicide may serve as a barrier to individuals seeking help, recovering from suicidality, and larger social change regarding attitudes toward suicide.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Taylor M. Binnix

TAYLOR M. BINNIX works as an applied sociologist, recruiting students of all backgrounds to participate in opportunities for gifted and talented learners. Binnix uses her skills in data management, research analysis, and program administration to seek innovative and creative solutions for improving the student experience in youth development initiatives, focusing on the personal growth and professional development of young people. Her substantive areas of research include suicide, mental health, and education.

Carol Rambo

CAROL RAMBO is Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN. She was the editor of the journal Symbolic Interaction from 2007–2011. Her past research has delved into topics such as striptease dancing, mentally disabled parenting, childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and theorizing the craft of writing autoethnography. She has published her work in a variety of outlets including Devaint Behavior, Mental Retardation, Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, and Qualitative Inquiry.

Seth Abrutyn

SETH ABRUTYN is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia. As a theorist, his principle aims are to deepen our understanding of the links between community/group-level culture and the social psychology of those inhabiting that culture. In particular, his current research focuses on how sociological research on suicide can benefit from the integration of cultural, emotional, and social psychological approaches to the conventional structural approaches. Abrutyn’s work can be read in Sociological Theory, American Sociological Review, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, and Social Forces among others. In addition, he is the editor of the Handbook of Contemporary Sociological Theory (Springer).

Anna S. Mueller

ANNA S. MUELLER is Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago. Her research investigates the social roots of adolescent suicide using insights from social network theories, social psychology, and the sociology of culture. Her substantive interests are matched by her methodological interests in social network analysis and in-depth case studies of adolescent societies. Mueller’s publications can be read in the American Sociological Review, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, American Journal of Sociology, and Sociological Theory among others.