The impact of suicide portrayals in short films on viewers

Theoretical framework: Sensationalist non-fictional media portrayals of suicide can trigger imitative suicides, which is referred to as Werther effect in scientific literature. In contrast, narratives emphasizing hope, healing, and recovery from a suicidal crisis have been found to decrease suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation, also known as Papageno effect. It is, however, still unclear how different types of portrayals of suicide and suicide prevention in fictional films impact on suicide risk. Objectives: The current project aims to explore the impact of different versions of a film about a suicidal crisis that differ with regard to the portrayed outcomes of the crisis, but are identical in all other aspects. Methods: First, we will develop three versions of a film (15-20 minutes) on a protagonists suicidal crisis. In the first half of the film, all three versions will be identical. In the second half, the three versions will feature different outcomes of the suicidal crisis. Version 1 will conclude with the protagonists suicide, while Version 2 will conclude with the protagonists successful mastering of the crisis. Version 3 will conclude with the protagonists natural death and an open ending about the crisis. While basic elements of the production design (e.g., camera positioning, special effects) will be identical throughout the entire duration of the three film versions, differences in terms of stylistic arrangement (music, lighting, etc.) will be consistent with the individual ending of the story. Afterwards, the filmmakers will be interviewed on the factors that influenced them in their decision making process during film production in order to gain insight on the reasons for filmmakers to select certain elements for the portrayal of the suicidal crisis. In the next step, we will test the impact of the three film versions by conducting a laboratory experiment with three groups. Each group will be watching one of the three film versions. Data on viewers suicide risk factors will be collected before and immediately after film viewing and four weeks later with questionnaires. Furthermore, qualitative focus groups will be conducted with participants who are a) recruited from the general population, b) inpatients or outpatients of psychiatric clinic, c) experts in suicide research or prevention, or d) media professionals and who will watch all three film versions in random order. Innovation: This will be the first study that will produce three versions of the same film with varying portrayals of the outcome of a suicidal crisis and asses their impact with a laboratory experiment and focus groups. The results will be essential to inform current suicide preventive recommendations regarding suicide portrayals in fictional media. Primary researchers involved: The primary researchers involved in the project are Benedikt Till and Thomas Niederkrotenthaler, who are leaders in research on the Papageno effect and are involved in numerous national and international suicide prevention projects.