Leeba Rezaie1, Seyed Ali Hosseini2, Mehdi Rassafiani3, Farid Najafi4, Jalal Shakeri5, Hamid Reza Khankeh6. 1. Department of Occupational therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science (USWR), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: la_rezaie@yahoo.com. 2. Department of Occupational therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science (USWR), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: alihosse@gmail.com. 3. Department of Occupational therapy, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science (USWR), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: mrassafiani@yahoo.com. 4. Kermanshah Health Research Center (KHRC), School of Population Health, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran. Electronic address: farid_n32@yahoo.com. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Farabi Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), Kermanshah, Iran. Electronic address: jshakerimd@yahoo.com. 6. Department of Nursing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Science (USWR), Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: hrkhankeh@hotmail.com.
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.
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.