Introduction

There is public concern about potential associations between adolescent social media/smartphone use and risk for suicide. However, no prior studies leverage qualitative methods to explore the experiences of adolescents currently at-risk for suicide.

Methods

This study examined social technology use from the perspectives of adolescents (n = 30; Mage = 16.1 years) currently hospitalized for a recent suicide attempt or severe ideation. We conducted in-depth interviews and coded transcripts using thematic analysis. We had three research questions: What (1) negative and (2) positive experiences do suicidal adolescents report related to their use of social media/smartphones? (3) How do adolescents describe their disconnection from these technologies use during inpatient hospitalization and views on a subsequent return to digital connectivity after discharge?

Results and conclusions

Results reveal both positive and negative social technology uses, with most participants reporting mixed (positive and negative) experiences. Negatives/risks included trouble regulating use, stress related to social media metrics, encounters with “triggering” content, hostility and meanness, self-denigrating comparisons, and burdensome friendship expectations. Positives/benefits included social connection, social support, affect-enhancing content, shared interests, and resources for mental health and coping. Overall, the documented risks and benefits of social technology use correspond with established (offline) risk and protective factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Participants generally valued the break from social technologies during hospitalization, and also viewed them as integral to social re-entry and identified related concerns. Future studies should test well-being focused ‘digital hygiene’ interventions for maximizing potential benefits and minimizing potential harms of social technologies for at-risk adolescents.

中文翻译：

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因自杀行为住院的青少年对社交媒体的正面和负面使用

介绍

公众担心青少年使用社交媒体/智能手机与自杀风险之间存在潜在关联。然而，之前没有研究利用定性方法来探索目前有自杀风险的青少年的经历。

方法

本研究从目前因近期自杀未遂或有严重想法而住院的青少年（n  = 30；M年龄 = 16.1 岁）的角度研究了社交技术的使用。我们使用主题分析进行了深入访谈和编码记录。我们有三个研究问题：自杀青少年报告的与他们使用社交媒体/智能手机相关的 (1) 消极和 (2) 积极经历是什么？(3) 青少年如何描述他们在住院期间与这些技术的使用脱节以及对出院后随后恢复数字连接的看法？

结果和结论

结果显示了积极和消极的社交技术使用，大多数参与者报告了混合（积极和消极）的经历。负面/风险包括难以调节使用、与社交媒体指标相关的压力、遇到“触发”内容、敌意和卑鄙、自我贬低的比较以及繁重的友谊期望。积极/好处包括社会联系、社会支持、情感增强内容、共同兴趣以及心理健康和应对资源。总体而言，记录在案的社交技术使用的风险和收益与已确定的（离线）风险和自杀念头和行为的保护因素相对应。参与者普遍重视住院期间脱离社交技术，并将其视为重返社会不可或缺的一部分，并确定了相关问题。