Perspectives on suicide among Chinese youth on internet platforms: A thematic analysis based on Comments from Bilibili users

Abstract

This study employs Reflexive Thematic Analysis to explore youth expressions of suicide on Bilibili, a video platform popular among young audiences. By analyzing comments from three vloggers who died by suicide, the research identified 42 initial codes, leading to 19 themes and seven sub-themes, categorized into three main domains: Perspectives on Suicide, Perspectives on Life, and Perspectives on Death. The “Perspectives on Suicide” domain mainly includes individual assessments, attitudes toward suicide, and attributions of suicide behaviors. “Perspectives on Life” encompasses insights shaped by personal experiences, whereas discussions on death, less frequent, focus on perceptions of death and assumptions about the afterlife. The content reflects a blend of traditional Chinese views and a noticeable shift toward individualism, with the internet playing a significant role in stimulating discussions on suicide and facilitating the expression and exchange of related views. These findings provide critical insights for organizations developing effective suicide prevention strategies.

Author contributions

Yijie Ye collected and processed the data and wrote the manuscript; Hao Gao designed and guided the research and revised the manuscript; Yubin Li and Ziqing Yang processed the data and participated in some writing.

Disclosure statement

The authors reported no potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The Qinglan Project of Jiangsu Province of China supported this study.