Qualitative research on suicide in East Asia: A scoping review

Abstract

Background

Suicide is a serious problem in East Asia. Yet, there is a significant lack of research on the topic, particularly using qualitative methodology.

Objectives

This scoping review reports on findings drawn from 11 qualitative studies, providing up-to-date knowledge and understandings about suicide in East Asian populations.

Methods

A web-based literature search was performed to identify empirical qualitative research articles addressing suicide in East Asia, published from January 2002 to December 2011.

Results

Three themes were identified within the reviewed studies; (1) influence of cultural beliefs; (2) the role of caregivers; and (3) specific sociological contexts. These themes are interrelated rather than mutually exclusive.

Conclusion

The findings drawn from this scoping review reveal specific as well as broad contexts where suicidal ideation and behaviours occur among East Asians. To advance understandings, future studies should focus on comparative and longitudinal research to distil prevailing trends as well as the specificities that reside among particular East Asian subgroups (i.e. gender, sexual identity and generational) as a means to developing culturally sensitive and targeted suicide prevention programs.

Keywords:

• suicide
• culture
• East Asia
• qualitative research

Notes

1. “East Asia may, in fact, be defined precisely as that part of the world that once used Chinese writing. In addition, although some experimentations with writing in local vernacular languages had already begun during the early period under consideration here, classical Chinese remained the most prestigious written language throughout the East Asian region until as late as the nineteenth century – the visible insignia of a common literate standard of civilization.” (Holcombe, 2001, p. 5)