Background: Media reporting may influence suicidal behavior. In-depth exploration of how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in newspaper articles in a middle-income country such as Sri Lanka is lacking. Aims: We aimed to explore how self-harm and suicide are portrayed in Sri Lankan printed newspapers. Method: Seven English- and Sinhala-language Sri Lankan newspapers were screened for articles reporting on self-harm and suicide (December 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015). A thematic analysis was conducted. Results: In the 78 articles identified for analysis, certain aspects were overemphasized (inappropriate behavior) and others underemphasized (alcohol and complexities of self-harm). Explanations of self-harm were one-sided and a suicide prevention narrative was lacking. Limitations: Another time-frame and inclusion of Tamil newspapers as well as social media and online publications would provide additional understanding. Conclusion: The study found an indication of simplistic reporting. Greater focus on prevention and a nuanced portrayal of self-harm could reduce stigma and imitative behavior.

中文翻译：

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斯里兰卡印刷报纸自残和自杀的定性分析。

背景：媒体报道可能会影响自杀行为。缺乏对斯里兰卡等中等收入国家的报纸文章如何描绘自残和自杀的深入探索。目的：我们旨在探索斯里兰卡印刷报纸如何描绘自残和自杀。方法：筛选了七份英语和僧伽罗语斯里兰卡报纸，以获取关于自残和自杀的报道（2014 年 12 月 1 日至 2015 年 1 月 31 日）。进行了专题分析。结果：在确定进行分析的 78 篇文章中，某些方面被过分强调（不当行为）而其他方面被低估（酒精和自残的复杂性）。对自残的解释是片面的，缺乏预防自杀的叙述。限制：另一个时间框架和泰米尔语报纸以及社交媒体和在线出版物的纳入将提供更多的理解。结论：研究发现了简单化报告的迹象。更加注重预防和对自残的细致入微的描述可以减少耻辱感和模仿行为。