PSYCHOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG ACID ATTACK SURVIVORS IN PAKISTAN: A THEMATIC APPROACH

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the psychological risk factors of suicidal ideation among acid attack survivors in Pakistan. Through purposive sampling, interview responses of sixteen acid attack survivors with the age range between 18-45 years, who had experienced this incident within the past 3 years were qualitatively analyzed. The sample was collected from Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. For the analysis and interpretation of the data thematic analysis was used as it provides in-depth information of the research. The results indicated that the psychological risk factors common among acid attack survivors with suicidal ideation include depression, low self-esteem, perceived stigma, and PTSD.  The emergent subthemes were hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, inadequacy, lack of family support, self-hatred, worthlessness and being a burden on others. The coping strategies that emerged are emotion focused coping, problem focused coping and religious coping. As one of the few studies looking into the psychological factors risking suicidal tendencies in an often-overlooked population, the study offers guidance for future intervention plans for preventing suicidal tendencies among acid attack survivors in Pakistan. Practical implications for practitioners and future research directions for scholars are also discussed.

Keywords: Acid attack survivors, qualitative research, thematic analysis, psychological risk factors, suicidal ideation