PAs' attitudes about adolescent suicide screening: The Theory of Planned Behavior. Issue 11 (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gillette, Chris; Bodner, Gayle; Grant, Jill; Aldrich, Rosalie; Mospan, Cortney; Ip, Edward Hak-Sing; Daniel, Stephanie; Crandall, Sonia
• Is Part Of: JAAPA. Volume 34:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: adolescent -- suicide -- physician assistant -- allied health occupations -- social theory -- risk assessment; Medicine -- Periodicals; Physicians' assistants -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Physician Assistants -- Periodicals; Medicine; Physicians' assistants; Periodicals; 610.7372069
• DOI: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000794968.09686.b3
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0893-7400

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: Suicide is an increasing public health problem for adolescents and young adults. The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of physician assistants' (PAs') self-reported adolescent suicide risk assessments and to elicit salient beliefs regarding behavioral attitudes, norm referents, control factors, and intention to conduct suicide risk assessment with adolescents. Methods: A convenience sample of PAs completed an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire. Relationships were assessed using bivariate analyses and qualitative theme analysis. Results: Forty-three PAs completed the questionnaire. Many PAs supported suicide risk assessment screening as a strategy to identify adolescents who are suicidal at an earlier stage of their illness; lack of time during the visit and problematic parental involvement were identified as barriers. Conclusions: PAs recognized that screening adolescents for suicide ideation may help prevent suicides. Their practice behaviors, however, did not correspond to this belief.