Abstract

This paper will present the results of a qualitative content analysis of 292 Québec suicide notes from the year 2005. The content of suicide notes differed based on age and sex; experiencing a recent breakup also affected the content of the notes. The sociological significance of the results is explored in an effort to gain insight into contemporary trends in Western suicide, most notably the prevalence of youth suicide and the over-mortality of males. Suicide notes from teens and young adults contained the most instances of complaints about society, which may indicate a level of disdain for the world they are leaving behind. In addition, youth suicide notes were characterized by a lack of precise meaning attached to their actions, which indicates either an inability to define their situation, or an unwillingness to do so. Suicide notes from females contained more soothing remarks as well as more remarks denoting vengeance or anger towards others; this is interpreted as a tendency to focus on interpersonal elements when framing their message. Males, conversely, focused more on their internal characteristics when framing themselves and their situation within the notes. For males experiencing a recent breakup, their tendency was to frame themselves as dejected and deserving of their fate; for females experiencing a recent breakup, their tendency was to frame themselves as a victim of harmful individuals. Regardless of gender, the presence of a breakup drastically changed the collective message of the suicide notes.