Gwendolyn Portzky1, Kees van Heeringen. 1. Unit for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Gent, Belgium. Gwendolyn.portzky@UGent.be
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psycho-educational programs are among the most commonly applied suicide prevention approaches for young people. This study examined the effectiveness of these programs in a controlled study by assessing the effect on knowledge, attitudes, coping and hopelessness. METHOD: Fourteen- to 18-year-old students were administered structured questionnaires before and after the program to assess the effect on knowledge, attitudes, coping and hopelessness. RESULTS: The program had no effect on coping styles and levels of hopelessness. However, a positive effect on knowledge could be identified and an interaction effect of the program with gender on attitudes was also found. A negative impact of the program could not be found. Results indicated effects of gender and pre-test on knowledge, attitudes and coping. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that psycho-educational programs in schools may influence knowledge about suicide and attitudes towards suicidal persons but may not affect the use of coping styles or levels of hopelessness.
BACKGROUND: Psycho-educational programs are among the most commonly applied suicide prevention approaches for young people. This study examined the effectiveness of these programs in a controlled study by assessing the effect on knowledge, attitudes, coping and hopelessness. METHOD: Fourteen- to 18-year-old students were administered structured questionnaires before and after the program to assess the effect on knowledge, attitudes, coping and hopelessness. RESULTS: The program had no effect on coping styles and levels of hopelessness. However, a positive effect on knowledge could be identified and an interaction effect of the program with gender on attitudes was also found. A negative impact of the program could not be found. Results indicated effects of gender and pre-test on knowledge, attitudes and coping. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that psycho-educational programs in schools may influence knowledge about suicide and attitudes towards suicidal persons but may not affect the use of coping styles or levels of hopelessness.
Authors: Ahmad Ali Eslami; Leili Rabiei; Seyed Mohammad Afzali; Saeed Hamidizadeh; Reza Masoudi Journal: Iran Red Crescent Med J Date: 2016-01-02 Impact factor: 0.611