Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
Ann Acad Med Singap. 2024 Mar 27;53(3):152-169. doi: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2023237.
This systematic review is aimed at (1) evaluating the association between media portrayals of suicides and subsequent copycat suicides or attempts among the general public in Asia, (2) understanding the factors associated with copycat suicides and (3) determining the positive impacts of the media reporting of suicides (e.g. increased help-seeking, coping).
A systematic review and narrative synthesis of English and Chinese articles from 8 electronic databases (i.e. PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Ariti, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and OpenGrey) from January 2000 to May 2023 was conducted. Observational studies were included, and the data were analysed through narrative synthesis. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021281535).
Among the 32 studies included (n=29 for evidence synthesis) in the review, there is good-quality evidence to show that copycat suicides and suicide attempts increase after media reports of a suicide, regardless of country, celebrity status, study design, type of media, mode of suicide or follow-up period. Females, younger age groups and those sharing similar characteristics as the deceased in publicised suicides (age, gender) were more susceptible to negative impact. Reporting of the mode of death of the deceased increased suicides by the same method among the public.
Media portrayals of suicide appear to have a negative impact on copycat suicides at the population level in Asia. Thus, in addition to tighter media control, healthcare systems, professional medical bodies and community outreach services should work collaboratively to promote early help-seeking in those with psychological distress.
本系统评价旨在：（1）评估亚洲大众媒体对自杀事件的描述与随后的模仿自杀或企图自杀之间的关联；（2）了解与模仿自杀相关的因素；（3）确定媒体对自杀事件的报道的积极影响（例如增加寻求帮助、应对）。
对 2000 年 1 月至 2023 年 5 月来自 8 个电子数据库（PsycINFO、MEDLINE、Embase、CINAHL、Web of Science、Ariti、中国国家知识基础设施和 OpenGrey）的英文和中文文章进行了系统评价和叙述性综合分析。纳入观察性研究，并通过叙述性综合进行数据分析。该方案已在 PROSPERO（CRD42021281535）上注册。
在本综述中纳入的 32 项研究（证据综合分析 n=29）中，有高质量证据表明，无论国家、名人地位、研究设计、媒体类型、自杀方式或随访期如何，媒体对自杀事件的报道后，模仿自杀和自杀企图都会增加。女性、年龄较小的群体以及与公开自杀事件中死者具有相似特征（年龄、性别）的群体更容易受到负面影响。报道死者的死亡方式会增加公众中以相同方式自杀的人数。
媒体对自杀的描述似乎对亚洲的模仿自杀有负面影响。因此，除了更严格的媒体控制外，医疗保健系统、专业医疗机构和社区外展服务应共同努力，促进有心理困扰的人尽早寻求帮助。
