Overview and aims:
This study used longitudinal qualitative methodology to explore the journeys of people engaging with suicide and self-harm (S/SH) content online.
Sample:
Participants for this study were recruited online via adverts posted on social media platforms, a UK-based young persons mental health app, and through charity websites and newsletters. Participants were aged over 16 years, able to communicate in English, and had experience of engaging with online SH/S content. A total of fourteen baseline interviews were conducted before the study team concluded recruitment, due to high sample diversity and good quality data sufficient to address the research aims.
What did we do?
Interviews were conducted at baseline, 3-month, and 6-month time-points exploring participant’s ‘history of SH/S feelings’, ‘current and historic online activity related to SH/S content’, ‘patterns, motivations and impact of online content engagement’, ‘critical moments in the online content engagement journey’, ‘keeping safe online’, and ‘experiences of online moderation and blocking’.
Participants also completed daily diaries between interviews. These diaries each covered a four-week period and had three main components (daily recording of content engagement, mood ratings, and a weekly reflection of content impact). Entries were used to formulate personalised follow-up interview schedules and to aid data triangulation in qualitative analysis. A four-step trajectory analysis approach was then undertaken to interpret the interview data temporally.
What did we find?
Findings from this research highlighted the need for a balance between cognitive flexibility and rigidity when engaging with S/SH content online. Cognitive rigidity may allow individuals to engage with helpful content routinely, however it may also result in continued access to more harmful content. Alternatively, cognitive flexibility can encourage people to seek out alternative solutions which may result in positive or risky behaviours depending on mental health state, and ability to use skills in digital efficacy and metacognition. The findings have important implications for healthcare services, and industry leaders in digital technology.
Project team:
- University of Bristol, UK: Lucy Biddle (PI); Zoë Haime, Jane Derges, Rachel Cohen
- The Samaritans, UK: Laura Kennedy; Lydia Grace
Funders/Supporters
This study was funded by The Samaritans
Publications and other outputs:
Haime, Z., Kennedy, L., Grace, L., Cohen, R., Derges, J., & Biddle, L. (Preprint). The Journey of Engaging with Self-Harm and Suicide Content Online: A Longitudinal Qualitative Study. J Med Internet Research (JMIR). 10.2196/preprints.47699
Haime, Z., Kennedy, L., Grace, L., Cohen, R., Derges, J., & Biddle, L. Acceptability, Feasibility and Participant Experience of Using a Structured Diary as a Research Tool in Populations Engaging with Suicide and Self-Harm Content Online: Results from the DELVE project. In Preparation
Haime, Z., Kennedy, L., Grace, L., Cohen, R., Derges, J., & Biddle, L. Experiences of content moderation and blocking amongst participants who engage with self-harm and suicide content. In Preparation
Contact for further details: zoe.haime@bristol.ac.uk