Young adult respondent experiences of disclosing self-injury, suicide-related behavior, and psychological distress in a web-based survey.

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of questions regarding self-injury, suicide, and psychological distress in a web-based survey on respondents, particularly those with relevant personal histories. Drawn from a random 8-college sample, 14,372 students completed the survey. Adjusted odds ratios were used to model the likelihood of responses based on respondent characteristics. The constant comparative method identified salient themes in qualitative data. Few individuals (2.7%) reported negative survey experiences. Individuals with relevant personal experience reported greater discomfort with the survey yet were also significantly more likely to report that it caused them to think more deeply about their lives. Surveys may be beneficial in promoting self-reflection, particularly among individuals with relevant experience.