The Language of Suicide

Abstract

There is a significant concern amongst caregivers, mental health advocates, and survivors of suicide attempts surrounding use of the phrase committed suicide. Sommer-Rotenberg (1998) identified that the phrase has a connotation of criminality, dishonor, and immorality, and that its ongoing use contributes to stigma surrounding suicide. Similar arguments have been made by others (see, e.g., Suicide.org; Suicideinfo.ca). In the current study, participants read two scenarios (in counterbalanced order), one depicting a suicide in which bereaved family members verbalize that they view the suicide as sinful and morally condemnable, and one depicting a suicide without this additional information. Analyses tested whether a suicide depicted as sinful is more frequently paired with statements employing the phrase committed suicide (relative to statements containing the phrase died by suicide) than the control scenario. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that perceived sinfulness led to participants choosing the phrase committed suicide more than the phrase died by suicide. This study provides an empirical basis for a causal link between moral condemnation and the perceived appropriateness of the phrase committed suicide.

Faculty Mentor: Andrew Howell

Department: Psychology