Meme culture and suicide sensitivity: a quantitative study

The pervasiveness of meme culture necessitates an understanding of its potential impact on sensitive topics like suicide. This study aimed to explore the correlation between frequent meme viewing and changes in suicide sensitivity, defined as the awareness and understanding of the multifaceted nature of suicide. The researchers hypothesized that increased meme consumption, particularly of those related to mental health, would lead to a decline in suicide sensitivity due to potential desensitization. The focus on social work (SW) graduate students was driven by their high-stress environment and the importance of maintaining sensitivity in their profession. This study aimed to address the gap in existing research by combining the three areas of meme culture, graduate student mental health, and suicide. The high prevalence of suicide attempts and ideation among graduate students, especially those over 25, underscores the urgency of understanding factors that could influence their sensitivity to this critical issue.

The literature review examined three key areas: meme culture, graduate student mental health, and suicide. Memes were defined as cultural replicators spread through imitation, evolving and impacting behavior within communities. Examples like the Ebola-chan meme illustrated their multifaceted nature, capable of conveying both fear and amusement. Studies on graduate students highlighted increased feelings of entrapment, lowered self-worth, and self-deprecation, often manifested through memes as a coping mechanism or form of relatable humor. Existing research on suicide among graduate students revealed higher rates compared to undergraduates, despite lower attempt rates, and the presence of factors like depression and hopelessness. The review also analyzed the methodologies of previous studies, highlighting the strengths and limitations of various sampling techniques (internet-based, convenience sampling, stratified random sampling), data collection methods (online surveys, in-person interviews, focus groups), and statistical analysis approaches (qualitative coding, ANOVA, regression analysis). The authors noted the limitations of previous research, including sampling bias, socially desirable responding, and the limitations of both qualitative and quantitative methods.

This study employed a quantitative pre-test/post-test design with purposive convenience sampling. Fifty-one social work students at the College of Staten Island participated. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=29) or a control group (n=22). The questionnaire included demographic questions, a meme familiarity scale (rated 1-3 for five memes), and a Suicide Sensitivity Scale (SSS) (12 statements rated 1-7). The SSS was designed to assess participants' sensitivity to suicide, with some items reverse-scored. Both groups viewed 10 memes for 30 seconds each. The experimental group saw suicide/depression-themed memes, while the control group viewed general-themed memes. The SSS was administered before and after the intervention to measure short-term effects. A one-way ANOVA was used to analyze long-term effects, comparing meme familiarity levels (low, medium, high) with pre-test SSS scores. Cronbach's alpha and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) were used to assess the reliability and validity of the SSS. Data analysis involved bivariate correlations to assess short-term effects of meme exposure on the 12 individual statements and the aggregate sensitivity score for each group.

The sample consisted of predominantly female (43), White (19) students, with a range of ages (20-49), relationship statuses, and academic progress. Bivariate correlations revealed that nine out of twelve questions showed significance for the experimental group's post-intervention scores, while the control group showed significance for all twelve questions. For nine of the twelve questions, the control group showed a stronger correlation between pre- and post-test scores, indicating a greater influence on sensitivity. Interestingly, the experimental group showed a stronger correlation for the aggregate sensitivity score, suggesting a more substantial overall impact. The control group demonstrated a decrease in overall sensitivity post-intervention. The one-way ANOVA showed no significant long-term effect of meme familiarity on suicide sensitivity, neither for individual statements nor the aggregate sensitivity score. The SSS exhibited low internal consistency (α = 0.407) initially, but improved to α = 0.624 after removing six items. EFA revealed four underlying factors: Low Sensitivity to suicide, Negative view of suicide, High sensitivity to suicide, and Positive view of suicide. Removing the six items reduced the factors to two: Sensitivity and Views.

The findings challenge the initial hypothesis, indicating that exposure to suicide/depression-themed memes did not significantly decrease suicide sensitivity in the short term, and there was no observed long-term effect based on familiarity. While some individual statements within the experimental group showed increased sensitivity post-intervention, the overall sensitivity score remained unchanged. Conversely, the control group exhibited a significant decrease in overall sensitivity after viewing general memes. The lack of a significant long-term effect suggests that meme exposure does not lead to lasting changes in sensitivity. The short-term effects, however, highlight the potential influence of meme content on immediate emotional responses, with general memes potentially leading to a decrease in empathy.

This study provides preliminary evidence suggesting no long-term effect of meme consumption on suicide sensitivity among social work students, but short-term effects warrant further investigation. The unexpected decrease in sensitivity in the control group highlights the need to explore the broader impact of general meme exposure. Future research should focus on the duration of short-term effects, expanding to other professions and exploring the potential therapeutic applications of memes.

Several limitations may affect the generalizability of findings. The meme selection was subjective and may not represent the full spectrum of meme humor. The 30-second meme display time might have been insufficient for some participants. The intense nature of some SSS statements could have influenced responses. The relatively small and potentially non-representative sample size may limit generalizability. Finally, the initial low internal consistency of the SSS raises concerns about its reliability.