Extracting a psychological model for the formation of suicidal ideation as social harm in students of University: A grounded theory study

Suicidal ideation is destructive thoughts among students which can pave the way for suicide attempts. This study aimed to extract a psychological model for the formation of suicidal ideation as social harm among students. This study was conducted using a qualitative approach based on the grounded theory.

 The participants were 17 students who were selected using purposive and theoretical sampling from among students with suicidal ideation or a history of a suicide attempts. The participants were interviewed and all interviews were recorded, transcribed, and finally analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s systematic analysis.

 The results showed that the core theme of the model of the formation of suicidal ideation was a failure to improve living conditions and the intensified perception of unpleasant experiences. Pessimism about life and the future, demotivation, and extreme helplessness were the three factors accounting for suicidal ideation.The interfering factors identified in this study were cognitive and behavioral self-destruction, believing life to be uncontrollable, and emotional impulsivity. Furthermore, the reactions to the core theme were meaninglessness of life, loneliness, deep isolation, and existential anxiety. The outcomes identified in this study were four main categories of liberation from life, attachment to death, planning the manner of death, and carrying out the decision to commit suicide. 

Gaining insight into the cycle of formation of suicidal ideation, especially into the interfering and underlying factors in the formation of the core theme can contribute to developing and implementing educational, preventive, and constructive treatment programs to address these factors that facilitate suicidal ideation.