A Social Semiotic Interpretation of Suicidal Behaviour in Young People

Abstract

This article presents a study of nurses' and doctors' perceptions of young people who engage in suicidal behaviour. A contemporary view of grounded theory is used to guide the collection and analysis of qualitative data from nurses and doctors working with young people in an accident and emergency department, paediatric medicine and child and adolescent mental health services (adolescent inpatient unit). The analysis of 45 semi-structured interviews generated the category: Processes of communication and associated meanings: Another voice, Complex messages and Seeing and using the social environment. A social semiotic framework is used to explore the way in which nurses and doctors perceive young people who engage in suicidal behaviour. The article concludes by considering the implications for policy and practice.

Effects of training on attitudes of psychiatric personnel towards patients who self‐injure

“…For any intervention to be successful, the importance of positive attitudes of health care personnel towards self‐injurious patient cannot be overestimated (Linehan , Anderson et al . ). Of equal importance to better treatment outcomes is the emphasis on the removal of obstacles that prevent patients from seeking treatment in the first place, or adhering to it.…”

An exploration of predictors of children's nurses’ attitudes, knowledge, confidence and clinical behavioural intentions towards children and young people who self‐harm

“…Furthermore, Anderson, Standen, and Noon () explored the range of perceptions held by nurses and doctors practising in an A&E department and child and adolescent community services towards young people who have been admitted following an episode of self‐harm. The analysis illustrated that nurses and doctors perceived self‐harm behaviour as a powerful form of communication and that “establishing effective communication with people who self‐harm is recognised as an essential part of preventing further self‐harm and suicide” (Anderson et al., , p. 318). However, the study did not indicate the factors that influenced professional perceptions.…”

Perspectives des adolescents et jeunes adultes sur le suicide : une méta-synthèse qualitative

“…Les récits des soignants interrogés dans les études qualitatives sur le sujet sont centrés sur la valeur communicative du suicide de l'adolescent [59] et sur l'intérêt du travail avec les familles [60]. Pourtant peu d'études qualitatives interrogent le vécu des familles d'adolescents suicidants [61][62][63][64], et les parents y décrivent après la tentative de suicide un vécu de souffrance et d'isolement qui paraît en miroir de celui des adolescents durant la période suicidaire [62].…”