Exposure to Self-Directed Violence: Understanding Intention to Help and Helping Behaviors among Adolescents and Emerging Adults

Abstract

Exposure to self-directed violence (SDV) is a public health issue. Prevention trains third parties to identify SDV risk and provide help. However, we know little about the range of help provided to those who engage in SDV. The current study used a cross-sectional online survey of 1031 adolescents and emerging adults to learn about their SDV exposure, intent and attempts to help, and barriers to helping. Most participants reported SDV exposure, commonly by a peer, and provided help. Regression analyses showed that intent to help was predicted by social norms and having knowledge of resources, and such knowledge (but not social norms) was also related to actual helping behaviors. Qualitative analysis of short open-ended questions on the survey documented a range of barriers to helping. Findings support but also encourage revision of theoretical models of helping upon which prevention programs are based.

Young people's help‐giving actions towards a peer with a mental health problem: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

“…In addition, 15 studies reported on emotional support, suggesting that this is also a crucial aspect of young‐people's help‐giving processes. Emotional support was described as using caring words to express concern and providing reassurance, listening non‐judgementally, and discussing the mental health problem experienced by the peer (Banyard et al, 2021; Rodgers et al, 2019; Smart, 2010; Yap et al, 2011).…”

“…Typically, studies reported low levels of confidence when helping a peer through mental health crises. Banyard et al (2021) and Lavis and Winter (2020) found that young people helping in crisis situations…”

“…were not close enough to the peer requiring help (Banyard et al, 2021;Curtis, 2010). Furthermore, studies also reported helper's concerns about how receptive the peer would be to their help, as a barrier to helping, especially if the helper was not a close friend of the peer (Banyard et al, 2021;Curtis, 2010;Garcia-Williams & McGee, 2016).…”

Community and bystander interventions for the prevention of suicide: Protocol for a systematic review

“…Community suicide interventions aim to encourage bystander action in the event of a crisis. The difficulty with bystander action is that many people are usually present in an emergency, which makes it difficult to determine who is most responsible to act [ 13 ]. A recent study found that one of the biggest reasons people do not intervene in a suicide attempt is that they thought someone else closer to the individual would take action [ 14 ].…”

“…A recent study found that one of the biggest reasons people do not intervene in a suicide attempt is that they thought someone else closer to the individual would take action [ 14 ]. Inaction resulting from diffusion of responsibility is known as the bystander effect [ 13 ]. The bystander intervention model (BIM) is a potential mechanism for overcoming the bystander effect.…”