JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Suicide is a major public health problem, which affects people of all ages and ethnicities. Despite being preventable, rates of suicide have steadily climbed (more than a third) over the past two decades.

Objective:

NPs must be responsible for recognizing suicide risk and providing appropriate treatment referrals in addition, to having an important role in suicide prevention. Reasons why NPs may not pursue suicide prevention training is their lack of suicide awareness and prevention, limited experiences with suicidal patients, and stigma associated with mental illness. Before we can begin to address gaps with suicide awareness and prevention skills, we need to first examine NPs’ knowledge of and attitudes (stigma) toward suicide prevention.

Methods:

This study will comprise a mixed methods approach. Quantitative Data: First, quantitative data will be collected using the Suicide Knowledge and Skills Questionnaire and the Suicide Stigma Scale (Brief version) questionnaire. An email will be sent to the NPs explaining the purpose of the study. If they consent, they will click on a link to access the surveys on a secure site. In our previous research with this sample, we will send email reminders to non-responders after two and four weeks. The quantitative component will be used to inform the qualitative interviews of this study. Quantitative Component-Measures: The Suicide Knowledge and Skills Questionnaire is a 13- item questionnaire comprising two subscales, suicide knowledge and suicide skills. All questions are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1, completely disagree to 5 completely agree). The survey has been shown to differentiate between those with suicide training and those without and has a Cronbach alpha score of 0.84. The Suicide Stigma Scale (Brief version) is a 16-item survey that assesses stigma regarding suicide. The items are measured on a 5-point Likert scale (1, strongly disagree to 5, strongly agree), has a Cronbach alpha of 0.98.

Results:

This study was funded by the Faculty Research Grants program through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Institutional review board approval was obtained April 2022. Recruitment will occur from the end of May 2022 to August 2022, and data will be analyzed in Fall 2022.

Conclusions:

The study results will add to the literature on NPs’ knowledge of and attitudes (stigma) toward suicide prevention. It represents a first step in addressing gaps with suicide awareness and prevention skills, among NPs in their respective practice settings.