Suicide Exposure in the Population: Perceptions of Impact and Closeness.
Recent studies of people exposed to suicide point to a continuum of effects moderated by a perception of closeness to the deceased. We investigated the importance of perception of impact of the death on mental health outcomes of those exposed to suicide. Female sex, younger age, and multiple exposures to suicide were associated with greater risk for poorer outcomes. Suicide exposed with high impact was more likely to have depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, prolonged grief, and suicide ideation. Findings can help focus postvention resources for suicide-exposed individuals.
College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Julie
0000-0002-4534-5526
J
Cerel
School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
Myfanwy
M
Maple
College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Judy
J
van de Venne
Kentucky One Health, Lexington, KY, USA.
Melissa
M
Brown
Department of Psychology, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY, USA.
Melinda
M
Moore
College of Social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.
Chris
C
Flaherty
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention