Language use and suicide: An online cross-sectional survey

Background
There has been a recent focus on language use in relation to suicide, with concerns raised about the potential to cause distress, perpetuate stigma and discourage help-seeking. While some terms are promoted as more sensitive than others, empirical research exploring the views of people affected by suicide to inform academic and media guidelines is lacking.
Methods
An anonymous, cross-sectional online survey was promoted opportunistically via online channels. Participation was requested from adults affected by suicide. Participants were asked to rate descriptors pertaining to suicidal behaviour according to perceived acceptability. A descriptive analysis of quantitative data was conducted alongside thematic content analysis of free-text data.
Outcomes
There were 2,719 responses, of which 1,679 (61·8%) were complete. Of phrases describing non-fatal suicidal behaviour, “attempted suicide” had the highest median acceptability score. Of phrases describing fatal suicidal behaviour, “took their own life” and “died by suicide” had the highest median acceptability scores. The scores for “commit suicide” were most variable and spanned the range of acceptability scores. Free text data illustrated the nuances in decision-making.
Interpretation
Variation in opinion exists amongst people affected by suicide regarding most phrases, often depending on contextual factors. “Attempted suicide”, “took their own life”, “died by suicide” and “ended their life” were however considered most acceptable. We argue that academic and media guidelines should promote use of these phrases.

研究背景
当前学界愈发关注与自杀相关的语言表述，并引发了诸多担忧：此类语言或引发心理痛苦、延续污名化效应，且会阻碍个体的求助行为。尽管已有部分术语被推广为更为审慎的表述，但目前仍缺乏以自杀亲历者的观点为依据，为学术与媒体指南提供参考的实证研究。
研究方法
本研究采用匿名横断面线上调查设计，通过线上渠道进行机会性招募。研究招募对象为自杀亲历者成年群体，要求参与者基于主观可接受度，对与自杀行为相关的各类表述进行评分。本研究对定量数据开展描述性分析，并同步对自由文本数据进行主题内容分析。
研究结果
本次调查共回收2719份问卷，其中完整作答问卷1679份，有效率为61.8%。在描述非致命性自杀行为的表述中，“自杀未遂（attempted suicide）”的中位可接受度得分最高。在描述致命性自杀行为的表述中，“自行结束了生命（took their own life）”与“死于自杀（died by suicide）”的中位可接受度得分最高。“自杀（commit suicide）”的得分离散程度最高，覆盖了全部可接受度区间。自由文本数据揭示了参与者在表述选择上的细微考量差异。
研究阐释
针对多数表述，自杀亲历者群体存在观点分歧，且此类分歧往往受具体语境因素影响。但“自杀未遂（attempted suicide）”、“自行结束了生命（took their own life）”、“死于自杀（died by suicide）”以及“结束了自己的生命（ended their life）”被认为是最可接受的表述。本研究认为，学术与媒体指南应推广使用上述表述。