Incel forum users’ suicidal expressions commonly cited six psychological stressors, including social isolation, appearance concerns, and mental health issues, as drivers of suicidality. This research was published in Current Psychology.
(If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or follow this link to their online chat.)
Incels, short for “involuntary celibates,” form an online subculture of men who struggle with a lack of romantic and sexual experiences, often expressing misogynistic and fatalistic beliefs rooted in the “Black Pill” ideology. This view, which describes the social world as structured to favor attractive individuals, reinforces feelings of hopelessness among incels, who often perceive their situations as unchangeable.
Previous research has documented a high prevalence of suicidality within these forums, with themes like “suicide fuel” emerging as incels share suicidal ideation and receive reinforcement from others in the community. Stefan Stijelja and Brian L. Mishara investigated suicidal expressions in incel users when posting outside their typical forums, specifically in the r/SuicideWatch subreddit.
The research team identified 116,266 incel forum users on Reddit, filtering posts from those who also contributed to r/SuicideWatch, a subreddit for individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts. The analysis focused on 13,187 posts from 5,275 unique users.
Using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis approach, the researchers systematically coded and reviewed posts to identify recurring themes related to suicidal ideation. The study used an inductive approach, allowing themes to emerge from the data without relying on predetermined categories.
The study identified six overarching themes driving suicidal ideation among incel users. The most prominent theme was Social Isolation and Loneliness, with many users expressing profound feelings of solitude. Posts described a prolonged lack of close relationships and an overwhelming sense of being disconnected from others, which users often associated with their inability to socialize effectively. For some, loneliness was tied to personal traits like shyness, which they saw as fixed barriers to forming connections.
A second, closely related theme, Appearance Concerns, reflected the negative body image many users held. Numerous posts highlighted specific perceived physical flaws—such as height, weight, and facial features—that they believed made them unattractive to others, fueling their sense of social rejection.
The third theme, Mental Health Issues, highlighted users’ struggles with depression and anxiety, often discussed as long standing problems. Some users described experiencing both disorders simultaneously, with social anxiety frequently highlighted as an obstacle to interpersonal relationships.
Another key theme, Frustration with Involuntary Celibacy, captured users’ distress over their perceived inability to form romantic relationships. This frustration, often heightened by observing others in romantic situations, contributed to feelings of inadequacy.
Family Problems also emerged as a recurring theme, with users describing strained relationships, experiences of neglect, and even abuse. Finally, users also expressed Feelings of Worthlessness, frequently using highly self-critical language. This self-loathing was closely linked to other themes, as users saw their struggles with relationships, appearance, and social skills as evidence of their perceived inadequacy.
Of note is that the study’s focus on incels who actively posted on r/SuicideWatch means it may not capture the experiences of incels who avoid disclosing suicidal thoughts online, potentially limiting the generalizability of findings.
Overall, these findings underscore the deep psychological distress within the incel community, pointing to the need for targeted mental health interventions and support mechanisms.
The study, “Common themes in suicidal expressions of incel forum users: a qualitative analysis,” was authored by Stefan Stijelja and Brian L. Mishara.