Internet suicide pacts among Japanese youth: A perspective from youth who approve of the phenomenon

Résumé

The objective of this grounded theory study was to understand a unique phenomenon, internet suicide pacts, from the perspectives of Japanese youth who approve of this method. Internet suicide pacts refer to the process of using the internet for the purpose of committing group suicide. Although Japan is considered the originator of this phenomenon, similar phenomena have been reported in other Asian countries as well as England. This study involved 10 Japanese (three women and seven men) with ages ranging from 18 to 30. The data revealed seven themes associated with the participants' understanding of the phenomenon as well as six influential socio-cultural factors. The seven themes were (a) well-known phenomenon in Japan, (b) initial positive or neutral reactions to the phenomenon, (c) seeking sympathy from suicide-related online communities, (d) pact pursuers can still live but they cannot escape from group dynamics, (e) not wanting to die alone: perceived reasons for selection of internet suicide pacts, (f) preference in self-disclosing to strangers versus friends, and (g) ease of suicide with strangers versus friends. The six socio-cultural factors included (a) societal/educational pressure, (b) distant relationships with family/friends, (c) contemporary youth culture, (d) youth's openness to mental health issues, (e) failures of the mental health system, and (f) becoming zero: views on life after death. A proposed model generated from these themes and factors highlight some unique aspects of internet suicide pacts from the perspective of the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. The internet suicide pact model shows that expectations for reduced loneliness and less burdening of others in one's circle by dying with a group of strangers combined with the individual's lower capability for suicide emerged as likely motivations for joining an internet suicide pact. The proposed model presented has significant clinical implications for assessing Japanese youth at risk of doing away with themselves. Future research is needed to further verify the proposed model and develop intervention and prevention strategies that specifically address the unique aspects of internet suicide pacts. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved) JAPON ASIE GENRE HOMME FEMME JEUNE-ADULTE INTERNET PACTE CULTURE PERCEPTION-SOI RECHERCHE-AIDE MÉDIA COMMUNAUTÉ SOCIOLOGIE PSYCHOPATHOLOGIE SOLITUDE VIE-APRÈS-MORT