Citation

Entilli L, Cipolletta S. Ann. Rev. Cyberth. Telemed. 2022; 20: 109-114.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Interactive Media Institute)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Losing a significant other to suicide increases the risks of depression and suicide. Fear of stigma, fatigue, and lack of services may hinder the help-seeking behavior of suicide mourners or "survivors". This study aimed at exploring characteristics and needs of recent survivors seeking for help online and the pros and cons of the use of live-chats as a first-aid tool in bereavement support. A data-driven thematic analysis with the software ATLAS.ti8 was carried out on 20 live-chat conversations from the major Italian association providing free-of-charge online support. Socio-demographic details were retrieved from the transcripts. Three categories were explored: users' features, users' requests, and online interactions. The users were mainly women (18 of 20), partners, siblings, or parents of the deceased (11 of 20), aged between 24 and 56 years, who had lost their significant other between one day and 12 months before. Users expressed needs to receive practical information on how and where to find support and requests to be emotionally reassured. Features such as anonymity and accessibility were fondly appreciated. Live-chat services represent a safe space where survivors can obtain useful information and start processing their loss. Because of its anonymity and accessibility, a live-chat service may represent a valid first line of support and a tool for prevention of suicidal ideation. The strengths of this study reside in its ecology: differently from a simulated user study, this analysis stems from a real context of emergency. © 2022, Interactive Media Institute. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Internet; suicide; female; male; suicidal ideation; depression; helplessness; bereavement; telehealth; controlled study; normal human; middle aged; survivor; qualitative analysis; Article; help seeking behavior; personal experience; thematic analysis; bereavement support; online support group; Ehealth; Live-Chat; Qualitative Methods; Suicide Bereavement