InspirAction: construction and evaluation of virtual social network for promotion of mental health, support and prevention of suicidal behavior

Abstract

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds, and the Internet has a strong influence on both preventing and encouraging suicidal behavior. It is important to investigate suicide-related communication on the internet and develop preventive strategies online. This study aims to: 1) identify characteristics and themes of postings related to "suicide" and its associated factors in the Twitter social network; 2) build a virtual social network for mental health promotion, support and prevention of suicidal behavior; 3) analyze the interactions among users, their preferences, regularity of access and material posted in the software (elaborated in the project). This will be a mixed study that will combine different strategies for data collection, considering each specific aim. The quantitative data will be analyzed by descriptive statistics and later, the use of parametric or non-parametric statistics will be defined according to the normality of the distribution of the measurements. The qualitative data will be submitted to thematic analysis for the identification of themes or patterns and meanings within the data. The subprojects of this proposal have scientific merit, originality and relevance for scientific, technological and innovation development, as well as being socially relevant because they address a problem that is relevant and preventable. The project will result in scientific productions, promoting advances in the knowledge on the subject and will enable the formation of human resources in research and in the assistance related to suicidal behavior. The research is feasible and will address a worldwide relevant theme and consonant with a line of research of the applicant. (AU)