Why self-immolation? A qualitative exploration of the motives for attempting suicide by self-immolation

Leeba Rezaie, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Mehdi Rassafiani, Farid Najafi, Jalal Shakeri, Hamid Reza Khankeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Introduction

Suicide by self-immolation is one of the great health concerns in developing countries such as Iran. Exploration of motives for attempting suicide by self-immolation in different point of view of people with experience and information on can be considered as a crucial aspect in self-immolation prevention. The study aimed to explore motives for suicide by self-immolation in Kermanshah, Iran.

Methods

A qualitative approach using semi-structure interview was employed to explore motives for attempting suicide by self-immolation in Kermanshah, Iran (2012). 15 participants including 9 self-immolated patients, a patient's husband, and 5 members of medical staff of these patients were interviewed. The interviews were taped and transcribed. A content analysis using constant comparison was performed for transcribed interviews.

Results

Five main categories were emerged that explore motives for suicide by self-immolation including mental health problems, family problems, cultural context, self-immolation as a threat, and the distinct characteristics of the method. All categories had their specific subcategories which had been integrated based on distinct properties in a given category. More than one motive might be addressed by study participants, which listed in the appropriate categories.

Conclusion

There are several reasons for suicide by self-immolation that should be considered in prevention programs. There may be an interactional pattern among the motives. Further study to explore process of the interactional pattern is recommended.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)319-327
Number of pages9
JournalBurns
Volume40
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2014

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