Personal suicidality in reception and identification with suicidal film characters

Death Stud. 2013 Apr;37(4):383-92. doi: 10.1080/07481187.2012.673531.

Abstract

The authors investigated the impact of suicidality on identity work during film exposure. Adults with low suicidality (n = 150) watched either It's My Party or The Fire Within, censored versions of these films not depicting the suicide, or the control film that concluded with a non-suicidal death. Baseline suicidality was measured with questionnaires before the movie. Identity work and identification with the protagonist were measured after the movie. Suicidality was directly associated with identity work during film dramas depicting suicide methods. The reception of suicide-related media content seems to partially depend on personal suicidality. Potential implications for suicide prevention are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Austria
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motion Pictures*
  • Social Identification*
  • Suicidal Ideation
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Suicide Prevention