Suicide-Related Internet Use Among Suicidal Young People in the UK: Characteristics of Users, Effects of Use, and Barriers to Offline Help-Seeking

Bell, Jo; Mok, Katherine; Gardiner, Eric; Pirkis, Jane

Abstract

The study replicates earlier research using a UK sample to examine differences between suicidal people who go online for suicide-related reasons and suicidal people who do not, perceived effects of suicide-related Internet use, and perceived barriers to offline help-seeking. A total of 72 UK citizens (18–24 years old) who had contemplated killing themselves or deliberately harmed themselves with the intention of dying within the past 12 months participated in an anonymous online survey. Results indicate that suicidal young people who use the Internet for suicide-related purposes are a high-risk group characterized by higher levels of social anxiety. The main purposes of suicide-related Internet use were to connect with others and seek information. Both positive and negative effects were found.

Citation

Bell, J., Mok, K., Gardiner, E., & Pirkis, J. (2018). Suicide-Related Internet Use Among Suicidal Young People in the UK: Characteristics of Users, Effects of Use, and Barriers to Offline Help-Seeking. Archives of Suicide Research, 22(2), 263-277. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2017.1334609

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 8, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jul 17, 2017
• Publication Date: Apr 3, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jun 9, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 9, 2019
• Journal: Archives of Suicide Research
• Print ISSN: 1381-1118
• Electronic ISSN: 1543-6136
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 22
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 263-277
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2017.1334609
• Keywords: Suicide and internet; Online; Suicide-related internet use
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/452157
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13811118.2017.1334609