News Science Quarterly (NS)

News Science Quarterly (NS)

An Analysis of the Impact of Post-War Political and Media Discourses on Suicide Rates in Ilam Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Political Sociology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: vaisieivan@gmail.com
2 Corresponding author, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: shiri.tahmures@gmail.com
3 Assistant Professor, Institute for Educational Studies, Organization for Educational Research and Planning (OERP), Tehran, Iran. E-mail: Alijafari@oerp.ir
10.22034/lrsi.2025.496069.1301
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the role of post-war political and media discourses in the phenomenon of suicide in Ilam Province.
Methods: A survey-based research design was employed. The target population consisted of individuals aged over 18 years residing in Ilam Province. A stratified random sampling method was utilized to select 384 participants (230 men and 154 women), proportionally allocated according to the demographic composition of the region. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire comprising four sections: demographic information, assessment of political and media discourses (constructivism, reform, justice-oriented, moderation, and resistance), the perceived impact of discourses on social and psychological issues, and the level of satisfaction with these discourses. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software, employing statistical methods including the Pearson correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and regression analysis.
Results: The findings revealed that the reform and constructivism discourses had the most significant positive impact on reducing suicide rates. Furthermore, the media played an effective role in facilitating the transmission of discursive messages and enhancing social cohesion. The resistance discourse, due to its focus on macro-level issues and its neglect of social and psychological needs, demonstrated an inverse effect and was associated with an increase in suicide rates. The justice-oriented discourse had a lesser impact on reducing suicide rates, while no significant effect was observed for the moderation discourse. Additionally, social cohesion, reduced deprivation, and improved cultural conditions were identified as significant factors contributing to lower suicide rates. Conversely, unemployment and poverty were positively associated with an increase in suicide rates.
Conclusions: The research findings indicate that political and media discourses, particularly those of reconstruction and reform, have played a significant role in reducing suicide rates by strengthening social cohesion and mitigating economic and psychological disparities.
Keywords

 
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 February 2026