Briggs, Amy J. (2022) User Characteristics of People who use the Internet and/or Social Media for Suicide-Related Purposes. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Difficulties accessing mental health services in a timely manner has seen an increase in individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and/or behaviours (STBs) turning online for help. Little is known about who goes online for suicide-related reasons. Current research focuses on youth characteristics and/or characteristics associated with using one type of online space. Given those most at risk of death by suicide are older individuals and their general use of online spaces has recently grown, user characteristics associated with older individuals is unknown. A partial replication cross-sectional survey design sought to identify user characteristics and factors associated with suicide-related Internet and/or social media use. Individuals with past 6-month history of STBs were recruited from a broad range of online sources. Participants (N = 69) were 27 suicide-related users and 42 non-suicide related users aged 18 to 82 (M = 42.50, SD = 16.53) who completed an anonymous online survey. Suiciderelated users reported higher frequency of suicidal ideation, suicide disclosure, and overall suicide risk, with no future attempt difference between users and non-users. Users reported higher depression, anxiety, confusion, and tension but no differences for social connectedness, help-seeking intentions, social support, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, or anger, fatigue, and vigour. Given sample size, further research with larger samples is required to confirm findings. However, it appears that older individuals go online for suicide-related reasons and going online may not be indicative of elevated suicide risk despite higher levels of overall risk.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Andrea Lamont-Mills |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 15 May 2025 06:15 |
| Last Modified: | 15 May 2025 06:15 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | suicide; suicide attempt; suicidal ideation; suicidal behaviour; suiciderelated online use. |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52178 |
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