Pesticides and passion: a qualitative psychological autopsy study of suicide in Guyana

Shaw, Charlotte, Stuart, Jaimee, Thomas, Troy, Kõlves, Kairi and Stuart, Jaimee, (2023). Pesticides and passion: a qualitative psychological autopsy study of suicide in Guyana. The Lancet Regional Health - Americas, 26 n/a-n/a

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Shaw, Charlotte
    Stuart, Jaimee
    Thomas, Troy
    Kõlves, Kairi
    Stuart, Jaimee
    Title Pesticides and passion: a qualitative psychological autopsy study of suicide in Guyana
    Appearing in The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
    Volume 26
    Publication Date 2023-10
    Place of Publication Online
    Publisher Elsevier
    Start page n/a
    End page n/a
    Language eng
    Abstract Background The suicide rate in Guyana has consistently ranked in the top ten globally, yet there is only limited literature related to the context in which these suicides occur. This study aims to better understand the psychosocial circumstances and characteristics of suicides in Guyana. Methods This case series study utilised a qualitative psychological autopsy method. One to three informants per deceased person (N = 31) were interviewed regarding the lives of 20 Guyanese who died by suicide (14 M, 6 F, aged 10–74 years). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was utilised for the data. Findings Four superordinate themes were identified: Interpersonal Conflict, Trauma, Health, and Unknown Reasons. Interpersonal conflict included subordinate themes of Domestic Abuse, Marital Separation, and Financial Disputes. Health included subordinate themes of Physical Health and Mental Health. Pesticide poisoning was the method used by Guyanese people whose suicide was triggered primarily by interpersonal conflict. Interpretation The findings illustrate the complexities of suicide in Guyana and the importance of adopting a biopsychosocial perspective to suicide prevention. Suicide prevention should include mental health and suicide literacy training of medical professionals. It is recommended that the importation of highly toxic pesticides be restricted, and that less toxic substitutes be promoted. Convenience sampling, recall bias, and limited informants are limitations of this study. Future research should focus on suicidal behaviour using larger sample sizes. Funding This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship through Griffith University Australia.
    Copyright Holder The Author(s)
    Copyright Year 2023
    Copyright type Creative commons
    DOI 10.1016/j.lana.2023.100570
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    Created: Fri, 30 Aug 2024, 17:48:40 JST by Qian Dai on behalf of UNU CS