The development of effective message content for suicide intervention: theory of planned behavior.
BACKGROUND
Each year there are over 31,000 suicides in the United States, constituting a significant problem in every respect. It is important for research efforts to focus on the communication elements involved in suicide prevention because the messages produced by individuals close to those who have suicidal thoughts have the potential to save a life.


OBJECTIVE
The current manuscript presents the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as a foundation to increase understanding of what message content would be most effective to convince an individual to intervene when someone is suicidal.


METHODS
Suicide and suicidal behaviors are briefly reviewed, as is the TPB. Then it is argued how and why TPB can help construct persuasive messages.


RESULTS
The authors suggest that TPB guide the content of persuasive messages. Messages created in combination of persuasive theories with TPB are likely to encourage an individual to intervene when someone is suicidal.


CONCLUSIONS
A key element to suicide prevention is intervention by close others. Use of TPB provides an increased understanding of how to persuade close individuals to intervene when an individual is suicidal.
Shemanski Aldrich
Rosalie
R
Department of Communication, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. rosalie.shemanski@uky.edu
Cerel
Julie
J
D001294:Attitude to Health; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D000092864:Suicide Prevention