Suicide Exposure in the Population: Perceptions of Impact and Closeness

Authors

Julie Cerel, University of Kentucky
Myfanwy Maple, University of New England (Australia)
Judy van de Venne, Eastern Kentucky University
Melissa Brown, Kentucky One Health
Melinda Moore, Eastern Kentucky University
Chris Flaherty, University of Kentucky

Department

Applied Human Sciences

Department Name When Scholarship Produced

Family and Consumer Sciences

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2017

Abstract

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.

Recommended Citation

Cerel, J., Maple, M., van de Venne, J., Brown, M., Moore, M. and Flaherty, C. (2017), Suicide Exposure in the Population: Perceptions of Impact and Closeness. Suicide Life Threat Behav. doi:10.1111/sltb.12333

Journal Title

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior