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Suicide Communication on Social Media and Its Psychological Mechanisms: An Examination of Chinese Microblog Users

Author

Listed:
  • Qijin Cheng

    (HKJC Center for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Chi Leung Kwok

    (HKJC Center for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Tingshao Zhu

    (Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    Insititute of Computing Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Li Guan

    (Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

  • Paul S. F. Yip

    (HKJC Center for Suicide Research and Prevention, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
    Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Background : This study aims to examine the characteristics of people who talk about suicide on Chinese microblogs (referred to as Weibo suicide communication (WSC)), and the psychological antecedents of such behaviors. Methods : An online survey was conducted on Weibo users. Differences in psychological and social demographic characteristics between those who exhibited WSC and those who did not were examined. Three theoretical models were proposed to explain the psychological mechanisms of WSC and their fitness was examined by Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results : 12.03% of our respondents exhibited WSC in the past 12 months. The WSC group was significantly younger and less educated, preferred using blogs and online forums for expressing themselves, and reported significantly greater suicide ideation, negative affectivity, and vulnerable personality compared to non-WSC users. SEM examinations found that Weibo users with higher negative affectivity or/and suicidal ideation, who were also using blogs and forums more, exhibited a significantly higher possibility of WSC. Conclusion : Weibo users who are at greater suicide risk are more likely to talk about suicide on Weibo. WSC is a sign of negative affectivity or suicide ideation, and should be responded to with emotional support and suicide prevention services.

Suggested Citation

  • Qijin Cheng & Chi Leung Kwok & Tingshao Zhu & Li Guan & Paul S. F. Yip, 2015. "Suicide Communication on Social Media and Its Psychological Mechanisms: An Examination of Chinese Microblog Users," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-22, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:9:p:11506-11527:d:55673
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee Cronbach, 1951. "Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 16(3), pages 297-334, September.
    2. Zhan-Zhan Li & Ya-Ming Li & Xian-Yang Lei & Dan Zhang & Li Liu & Si-Yuan Tang & Lizhang Chen, 2014. "Prevalence of Suicidal Ideation in Chinese College Students: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-12, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zheng Wang & Guang Yu & Xianyun Tian, 2018. "Exploring Behavior of People with Suicidal Ideation in a Chinese Online Suicidal Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.

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