• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2021

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.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.100-108
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• 2019

Objectives: Adolescence involves a number of developmental processes, as well as unique psychological characteristics and behaviors. An increased rate of internet and game addictions, school violence, and suicide may either represent aspects of adolescence or a psychopathological phenomenon. There is an urgent need to develop software programs that can prevent and resolve adolescent behavioral problems. We applied the mentalization theory to interpret and find solutions for problems faced by adolescent characters in literature. Methods: In Joan Rowling's novel "Casual Vacancy," Sukhvinder is a girl with problems representative of those encountered by modern adolescents; she is a victim of bullying and engages in self-mutilation. We targeted her problematic behaviors as representative of a prementalized state. Results: Born into an upper-class English family with Pakistani origins, Sukhvinder, unlike her siblings, fails her parents' expectations. Whenever she faces a psychological crisis, she regresses into the teleological mode (the most primitive pre-mentalization stage) and regains her sense of self by cutting herself. After her friend's suicide, however, she begins to communicate with her parents and moves toward mentalization. Conclusion: By analyzing Sukhvinder's behavior, we assessed patterns of attachment, empathy, and mentalization, and identified corrective approaches for problematic behaviors. We believe that the presented interpretation may serve as a foundation for the development of models for understanding adolescent deviant behaviors.