Citation

Ikunaga A, Nath SR, Skinner KA. Transcult. Psychiatry 2013; 50(2): 280-302.

Affiliation

Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment of the Einstein Healthcare Network.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, McGill University, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1363461513487308

PMID

23666942

Abstract

Netto shinju, or Internet group suicide, is a contemporary form of Japanese suicide where strangers connect on the Internet and make plans to commit suicide together. In the past decade, numerous incidents have occurred whereby young Japanese make contact on the Internet, exchange tips on suicide methods, and make plans to meet offline for group/individual suicide. A systematic qualitative content/thematic analysis of online communications posted on a popular Japanese suicide bulletin board yielded a textured, thematic understanding of this phenomenon. Themes identified reflected Shneidman's theory of suicide but with an emphasis on interpersonal concerns that are embedded in Japanese culture.

Language: en