Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Debra Wilson

Abstract

Social media has become mainstream over the past decade, with new applications that adolescents can download to stay in consistent contact with their peers. Though social media can enhance the ability for communication, it seems to also have the ability to alienate, burden, and exacerbate depression and potential self-harm. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore five adolescent’s perspective on social media contributing to suicide ideations and attempts. The theoretical research was built upon Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide. Two research questions were explored in this study, which were the adolescent’s perspective on social media triggering suicidal ideations and attempts among adolescents and how social media trigger the thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and acquired capability among adolescents. The sample consisted of five adolescents, ages 18 to 19, who have an active social media account and have been successfully discharged for at least 1 year from outpatient treatment due to suicidal ideations and attempts related to social media triggers. Data were collected from in-person interviews recorded and transcribed to gain an understanding of social media triggers relating to suicidal ideations and attempts from adolescents. The collected data were analyze by reviewing the common themes. It was concluded that social media can impact adolescents contributing to suicide ideations and attempts and the importance to reduce social media usage. This study promotes positive social change by providing information that may assist with understanding the role of social media in adolescents’ lives and potential triggers to mental health episodes to reduce suicide ideations and attempts.

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