Dangerous Words? An Experimental Investigation of the Impact of Detailed Reporting About Suicide on Subsequent Risk. Issue 10 (8th September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Anestis, Michael D.; Bryan, Craig J.; May, Alexis M.; Law, Keyne C.; Hagan, Christopher R.; Bryan, AnnaBelle O.; Chu, Carol; Michaels, Matthew S.; Selby, Edward A.; Klonsky, E. David; Joiner, Thomas E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical psychology. Volume 71:Issue 10(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 1031
• Page End: 1041
• Publication Date: 2015-09-08
• Subjects: Psychology -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22199
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9762

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jclp22199-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Media reporting guidelines exist for suicide‐related content; however, no experimental studies have examined the impact of guideline violations. As such, we utilized an experimental design to determine whether reading an article about suicide that violated guidelines would impact mood and suicidality relative to the same article without violations and to an article detailing death by cancer, both immediately and during 1‐month follow‐up.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22199-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>273 students were randomly assigned to read one of three articles (1) an article that violated suicide reporting guidelines, (2) the same article with violations removed, or (3) an article that details death by cancer.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22199-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Individuals assigned to read the original suicide article were no more upset immediately afterwards or during 1‐month follow‐up. Amongst participants with prior ideation, those who read the original article reported a lower likelihood of future attempt relative to either other condition.</p> </sec> <sec id="jclp22199-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Results indicate some reporting guidelines may be unnecessary. Amongst individuals at risk for suicide, some guideline violations may be associated with a decreased likelihood of future attempt and result in a decrease in negative affect. Clinically, these results highlight the potential utility of exposing clients to in depth educational materials about suicide while mitigating concerns regarding certain aspects of the content.</p> </sec> </abstract>