Short answer
Designers should move beyond a purely functional or 'problem-solving' approach to consider the broader societal and ethical impacts of their work, especially when designing for sensitive human experiences.
- Field
- Human Factors
- Source
- Temple University Press eBooks (2023)
- Method
- Theoretical analysis and critical discourse
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
The prevailing 'preventionist' approach to suicide can inadvertently cause harm through criminalization and stigmatization, particularly for marginalized groups. This human factors research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Temple University Press eBooks. Using Theoretical analysis and critical discourse, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should move beyond a purely functional or 'problem-solving' approach to consider the broader societal and ethical impacts of their work, especially when designing for sensitive human experiences.
Challenging Prevention Paradigms: The Impact of Structural Suicidism on User Experience
The prevailing 'preventionist' approach to suicide can inadvertently cause harm through criminalization and stigmatization, particularly for marginalized groups.
Temple University Press eBooks · 2023
Key Findings
- 01Suicidal individuals are oppressed by 'structural suicidism', a previously unnamed form of oppression.
- 02Preventionist strategies can cause additional harm through criminalization, incarceration, discrimination, stigmatization, and pathologization.
- 03Marginalized groups (queer, trans, disabled, Mad) are disproportionately affected by structural suicidism.
- 04Supporting assisted suicide, from an anti-suicidist and intersectional framework, could potentially prevent unnecessary deaths.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should move beyond a purely functional or 'problem-solving' approach to consider the broader societal and ethical impacts of their work, especially when designing for sensitive human experiences.
How to apply
When designing any product or service that interacts with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, consider how the design might be perceived or experienced by marginalized groups and whether it could inadvertently contribute to stigma or harm.
Project actions
- 01When researching user needs, actively seek out perspectives from diverse and marginalized groups.
- 02Consider the ethical implications of your design choices and how they might impact user well-being beyond immediate functionality.
- 03Explore how societal biases can be embedded in design and how to mitigate them.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Introduces a novel and critical framework ('structural suicidism') for understanding harm.
- +Challenges established, potentially harmful, practices in suicide prevention.
- +Emphasizes intersectionality and the experiences of marginalized groups.
Limitations
It can be challenging to directly 'test' structural suicidism in a typical design project. The topic is sensitive and requires careful ethical consideration when involving participants.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of this theoretical argument rests on the author's logical coherence and the strength of their critique of existing systems. Validity is challenged by the lack of empirical data and the controversial nature of the proposed solutions, which may not be universally accepted or applicable.
Think critically
How can designers actively identify and dismantle 'structural suicidism' within their design processes and products, rather than inadvertently reinforcing it?
Design Principles
"Design interventions should be evaluated not only for their intended positive outcomes but also for their potential to perpetuate or exacerbate existing societal harms, particularly for marginalized populations."
This challenges traditional human-centered design approaches by highlighting how societal structures and biases can negatively impact user well-being and experience. It prompts designers to consider the broader social and ethical implications of their designs, especially when dealing with sensitive user groups.
What This Means for Your Design
The way we try to 'help' people who are feeling suicidal can sometimes make things worse by making them feel judged or criminalized. We need to think about how our designs might affect people differently, especially those who are already facing discrimination.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this to justify a user research methodology that prioritizes the voices of marginalized users, or to critically analyze the ethical implications of a chosen design solution.
- 2.Incorporate a discussion on the potential for 'structural suicidism' to influence user interaction with a product, especially if the product relates to mental health or support.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the critical need to move beyond simplistic 'preventionist' models in design, particularly when addressing sensitive user needs. The concept of 'structural suicidism' reveals how societal biases and systemic oppression can be inadvertently embedded within design solutions, leading to unintended harm and stigmatization, especially for marginalized groups. Therefore, a truly user-centered approach must critically examine the ethical implications of design and actively seek to create inclusive and supportive experiences that do not perpetuate harm.
Source
Questions About This Research
- What does the research say about challenging prevention paradigms: the impact of structural suicidism on user experience?
- Designers should move beyond a purely functional or 'problem-solving' approach to consider the broader societal and ethical impacts of their work, especially when designing for sensitive human experiences. Evidence: Temple University Press eBooks (2023).
- Why does "Challenging Prevention Paradigms: The Impact of Structural Suicidism on User Experience" matter for design?
- This challenges traditional human-centered design approaches by highlighting how societal structures and biases can negatively impact user well-being and experience. It prompts designers to consider the broader social and ethical implications of their designs, especially when dealing with sensitive user groups.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should move beyond a purely functional or 'problem-solving' approach to consider the broader societal and ethical impacts of their work, especially when designing for sensitive human experiences.
- What were the main findings?
- Suicidal individuals are oppressed by 'structural suicidism', a previously unnamed form of oppression.. Preventionist strategies can cause additional harm through criminalization, incarceration, discrimination, stigmatization, and pathologization.. Marginalized groups (queer, trans, disabled, Mad) are disproportionately affected by structural suicidism.. Supporting assisted suicide, from an anti-suicidist and intersectional framework, could potentially prevent unnecessary deaths.
- What research method was used?
- Theoretical analysis and critical discourse.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2023 journal from Temple University Press eBooks.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing any product or service that interacts with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, consider how the design might be perceived or experienced by marginalized groups and whether it could inadvertently contribute to stigma or harm.
- What are the limitations?
- The paper is primarily theoretical and does not present empirical data from user studies. The proposed solutions are radical and may face significant societal and ethical resistance.