What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.

Despite higher rates of suicide in men, there is a dearth of research examining the perspectives and experiences of males at risk of suicide, particularly in terms of understanding how interventions can be tailored to men's specific needs. The current study aimed to examine factors assisting, c...

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Main Authors: Michael J Player, Judy Proudfoot, Andrea Fogarty, Erin Whittle, Michael Spurrier, Fiona Shand, Helen Christensen, Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic, Kay Wilhelm
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2015-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4474962?pdf=render
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author Michael J Player
Judy Proudfoot
Andrea Fogarty
Erin Whittle
Michael Spurrier
Fiona Shand
Helen Christensen
Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic
Kay Wilhelm
author_facet Michael J Player
Judy Proudfoot
Andrea Fogarty
Erin Whittle
Michael Spurrier
Fiona Shand
Helen Christensen
Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic
Kay Wilhelm
author_sort Michael J Player
collection DOAJ
description Despite higher rates of suicide in men, there is a dearth of research examining the perspectives and experiences of males at risk of suicide, particularly in terms of understanding how interventions can be tailored to men's specific needs. The current study aimed to examine factors assisting, complicating or inhibiting interventions for men at risk, as well as outlining the roles of family, friends and others in male suicide prevention. Thirty-five male suicide survivors completed one-to-one interviews, and forty-seven family and friends of male suicide survivors participated in eight focus groups. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: (1) development of suicidal behaviours tends to follow a common path associated with specific types of risk factors (disrupted mood, unhelpful stoic beliefs and values, avoidant coping strategies, stressors), (2) men at risk of suicide tend to systematically misinterpret changes in their behaviour and thinking, (3) understanding mood and behavioural changes in men enables identification of opportunities to interrupt suicide progression, (4) distraction, provision of practical and emotional supports, along with professional intervention may effectively interrupt acute risk of harm, and (5) suicidal ideation may be reduced through provision of practical help to manage crises, and helping men to focus on obligations and their role within families. Findings suggest that interventions for men at risk of suicidal behaviours need to be tailored to specific risk indicators, developmental factors, care needs and individuals' preferences. To our knowledge this is the first qualitative study to explore the experiences of both suicidal men and their family/friends after a suicide attempt, with the view to improve understanding of the processes which are effective in interrupting suicide and better inform interventions for men at risk.
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spelling doaj.art-1a8a8dd89d1f4e83991bc80ba01f5a4f2022-12-22T01:28:15ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032015-01-01106e012818010.1371/journal.pone.0128180What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.Michael J PlayerJudy ProudfootAndrea FogartyErin WhittleMichael SpurrierFiona ShandHelen ChristensenDusan Hadzi-PavlovicKay WilhelmDespite higher rates of suicide in men, there is a dearth of research examining the perspectives and experiences of males at risk of suicide, particularly in terms of understanding how interventions can be tailored to men's specific needs. The current study aimed to examine factors assisting, complicating or inhibiting interventions for men at risk, as well as outlining the roles of family, friends and others in male suicide prevention. Thirty-five male suicide survivors completed one-to-one interviews, and forty-seven family and friends of male suicide survivors participated in eight focus groups. Thematic analysis revealed five major themes: (1) development of suicidal behaviours tends to follow a common path associated with specific types of risk factors (disrupted mood, unhelpful stoic beliefs and values, avoidant coping strategies, stressors), (2) men at risk of suicide tend to systematically misinterpret changes in their behaviour and thinking, (3) understanding mood and behavioural changes in men enables identification of opportunities to interrupt suicide progression, (4) distraction, provision of practical and emotional supports, along with professional intervention may effectively interrupt acute risk of harm, and (5) suicidal ideation may be reduced through provision of practical help to manage crises, and helping men to focus on obligations and their role within families. Findings suggest that interventions for men at risk of suicidal behaviours need to be tailored to specific risk indicators, developmental factors, care needs and individuals' preferences. To our knowledge this is the first qualitative study to explore the experiences of both suicidal men and their family/friends after a suicide attempt, with the view to improve understanding of the processes which are effective in interrupting suicide and better inform interventions for men at risk.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4474962?pdf=render
spellingShingle Michael J Player
Judy Proudfoot
Andrea Fogarty
Erin Whittle
Michael Spurrier
Fiona Shand
Helen Christensen
Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic
Kay Wilhelm
What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.
PLoS ONE
title What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.
title_full What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.
title_fullStr What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.
title_full_unstemmed What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.
title_short What Interrupts Suicide Attempts in Men: A Qualitative Study.
title_sort what interrupts suicide attempts in men a qualitative study
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4474962?pdf=render
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