Trends in explicit portrayal of suicidal behavior in popular U.S. movies, 1950-2006

Sex Differences in the Global Prevalence of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis

Importance

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a strong predictor of suicide attempts. The prevalence of NSSI has been increasing among female adolescents in North America and Europe, but less is known about trends in other geographical regions.

Objective

To examine sex differences in the prevalence of NSSI among adolescents within and between geographical regions.

Data Sources

MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched using the keywords adolescents, self-injury, sex factors, and synonyms for articles published in English between January 1, 2000, and May 10, 2022.

Study Selection

Studies were included if they presented original data (any study design), included adolescents aged 10 to 19 years, reported results stratified by sex, and explicitly defined self-injury as behaviors occurring without suicidal intent.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

This meta-analysis was registered with PROSPERO and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Articles were assessed for quality by 2 independent coders (F.M. and J.A.). A random-effects model was used to calculate prevalence. Data were analyzed from July 2022 to April 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The prevalence of NSSI in male and female adolescents within and between regions was the main outcome. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% CIs were calculated for community samples.

Results

Eight hundred and two studies were screened, and 38 were included (266 491 participants). Across 17 countries, the pooled prevalence of NSSI was 17.7% (female:male OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.29-1.98). NSSI was twice as prevalent among female adolescents compared with male adolescents in North America (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 2.16-2.86) and Europe (OR, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.69-2.58), but not in Asia (OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.71-1.41).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this meta-analysis of sex differences in global prevalence of NSSI, the female predominance of NSSI observed among adolescents in North America and Europe aligned with rising rates of suicide in these populations. The comparable prevalence of NSSI among male and female adolescents in Asia also aligned with the lower male-to-female suicide ratio compared with other countries. More research is needed to characterize regional (and potentially cultural) sex differences among adolescents with NSSI to prevent and treat the behavior and to understand the possible interplay with corresponding regional trends in suicide.

Risk on Demand? A Quantitative Content Analysis of the Portrayal of Risky Health Behaviors in Popular on Demand Content

Video on Demand (VOD) has become the most popular way for adolescent viewers to consume entertainment media, often without parental supervision. Given the potential for modeling, this study aims to investigate the prevalence and nature with which risky health behaviors are portrayed in popular VOD programs. A quantitative content analysis of trending programs (N = 529) from popular VOD-platforms investigated the prevalence, co-occurrence, tone, social context, and consequences with which alcohol use, tobacco use, drug use, unsafe sexual behavior, reckless behavior, and self-harm behaviors are portrayed in popular VOD programs. In addition, we analyzed the demographic characteristics of the characters who portrayed the risk behaviors Risk behaviors were portrayed frequently, with substance use behaviors (i.e. alcohol, smoking, drugs) being most prevalent and most likely to co-occur. Reckless behavior, self-harm behaviors, and explicitly unsafe sexual behaviors were much less common. Findings show that risk behavior was often portrayed in a normalized manner, with alcohol and smoking, in particular, being portrayed as neutral behaviors that rarely have consequences. Most risk-taking characters were (young) adult white males, mirroring the general overrepresentation of this demographic in popular media. Risk behavior was rarely problematized in popular on demand content. Potential consequences for adolescent viewers are discussed.

Suicide in Bangla Movie and Drama: A Content Analysis

We aimed to assess how suicidality has been depicted in Bangla movies and dramas. We conducted a search on YouTube by using search terms to identify movies and dramas with suicidal scripts. The search was performed between February and May 2022 resulting in 71 items consisting of 35 Bangla movies and 36 Bangla dramas. We scrutinized the contents of movies and dramas against our pre-designed instrument and we assessed their quality against World Health Organization guidelines. Among the 71 suicidal behaviors, 46.5% were suicides, 72% of the suicidal behavior was noted in young adults, 63.9% were unmarried, and 69% attempts were found in prominent characters. Hanging was found as the most prominent method (25.4%) and premarital and extramarital affairs and sexual harassment were the most prominent risk factors (60.6%). The potentially harmful characteristics were present in almost all events whereas potentially helpful contents were mentioned very minimally.

The impact of screen media portrayals of suicide on viewers: A rapid review of the evidence

This rapid review aimed to review recent published literature and describe the current evidence regarding the impact, on viewers, of portrayals of suicide in screen/ moving-image fiction and non-fiction media, such as television/web series, films and documentaries. We searched various databases for research conducted within the past decade (2009-2019). A total of 16 articles were eligible for inclusion. The literature reported varying impacts of portrayals of suicide through moving-image media such as increased suicidal ideation and behaviour, as well as positive impacts such as increased help-seeking behaviour. While there is limited evidence which focuses specifically on the impact of moving-image media, the studies included in this review highlight concerning trends regarding the impact of media portraying deaths by suicide on subsequent suicidality. However, positive impacts on suicide awareness, literacy and help-seeking behaviour were also identified.

Beyond 12 Angry Men

The ability of group members to shape group behaviors can greatly influence collective outcomes; however, the skills associated with correctly recognizing behaviors in situ and responding appropriately to them on a real-time basis are typically not emphasized in group dynamics education. In this article, we describe a pedagogical method that uses film excerpts and a thin-slicing technique specifically designed to help students develop such skills. We identify a variety of sample film excerpts that illustrate several group behaviors—behaviors that recent research suggests can influence group effectiveness in different contexts. We end by discussing which group phenomena may or may not be particularly well-suited to this technique.