Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (대한소아청소년정신의학회)
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A Multifactorial Interpretation of a Teenager's Suicide: Based on Krystal's Death in Casual Vacancy

  • Received : 2020.08.12
  • Accepted : 2020.09.07
  • Published : 2021.01.01
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Abstract

Objectives: It is hard to accumulate research data on adolescents' suicide, because friends and family of the suicide completers might be reluctant to share the experience. To overcome the lack of information on adolescent suicide victims, the authors examined the risk and protective factors for adolescents' suicide from a character in a novel. Methods: Krystal, an adolescent female in the novel The Casual Vacancy by Joanne Rowling, failed to overcome her unfortunate circumstances and committed suicide. The authors analysed Krystal's case based on the guideline for patients with suicidal behaviours to address the complicated situation of her death. Results: Krystal grew up in a poor and dangerous environment. Despite the environmental hardships, she developed ego maturation with affectionate help from Mr Fairbrother, an assistant coach of the Girls' Rowing Team and a parish councillor. The sudden passing away of Mr Fairbrother brought on a crisis of identity for Krystal. In addition, a villainous character raped her and her brother drowned to death, which brought her great sorrow. She felt helpless and committed suicide. Conclusion: In spite of many risk factors for suicide, Krystal was able to keep her life with a few protective factors, a younger brother in the home, and a sense of responsibility for the family. After the loss of her brother, however, she collapsed in a moment. Krystal's suicide might not only be a personal choice but a breakdown of the social protection system for the youth.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The theme of this article was presented as poster at the 10th Congress of the Asian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professionals, Chiang Mai, Thailand on Oct, 2019. Authors appreciate colleague psychiatrists, Jin Cheol Park, Minha Hong, Kyunghoon Seo, Seung Yup Lee for inspiring many wonderful ideas in the initial design phase of this paper. Authors also thank Dong Hyun Kim for the collection and classification of the references, who is a participant with the Student-Designed-Elective from Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, 2020 July-August.

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