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Recipients of Suicide-Related Disclosure: The Link between Disclosure and Posttraumatic Growth for Suicide Attempt Survivors

Author

Listed:
  • Laura M. Frey

    (Couple & Family Therapy Program, Kent School of Social Work, 136A Burhans Hall, Shelby Campus, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA)

  • Christopher W. Drapeau

    (Department of Education, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA)

  • Anthony Fulginiti

    (Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA)

  • Nathalie Oexle

    (Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University and BKH Günzburg, Baden-Württemberg, 89081 Ulm, Germany)

  • Dese’Rae L. Stage

    (Live Through This, Philadelphia, PA, USA)

  • Lindsay Sheehan

    (Lewis College of Human Sciences, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA)

  • Julie Cerel

    (College of social Work, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA)

  • Melinda Moore

    (Department of Psychology, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 40475, USA)

Abstract

It is important to explore factors that could help or hinder one’s wellbeing following a suicide attempt, which could yield not only negative consequences but also posttraumatic growth (PTG; positive changes following a traumatic event). The present study used a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to test the relationship between disclosure, PTG, and posttraumatic depreciation among suicide attempt survivors when controlling for time since attempt and to test whether these effects remained after controlling for quality of support from family and friends. Suicide attempt survivors ( n = 159) completed an online survey about their experiences. Increases in disclosure to family and friends but not to healthcare providers predicted changes in PTG. The effects of family disclosure remained even after controlling for quality of support. Disclosure to healthcare providers demonstrated some statistical effects on PTG, yet in the opposite direction and only after controlling for quality of support. The control variables—time since attempt and quality of support—were the only variables that predicted a change in posttraumatic depreciation. These findings suggest there is value in disclosing one’s personal story to family regardless of whether one receives supportive responses and that social support can impact one’s PTG.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura M. Frey & Christopher W. Drapeau & Anthony Fulginiti & Nathalie Oexle & Dese’Rae L. Stage & Lindsay Sheehan & Julie Cerel & Melinda Moore, 2019. "Recipients of Suicide-Related Disclosure: The Link between Disclosure and Posttraumatic Growth for Suicide Attempt Survivors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3815-:d:274860
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sheehan, Lindsay & Oexle, Nathalie & Armas, Silvia A. & Wan, Hoi Ting & Bushman, Michael & Glover, LaToya & Lewy, Stanley A., 2019. "Benefits and risks of suicide disclosure," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 223(C), pages 16-23.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bonnie Scarth & Jesse M. Bering & Ian Marsh & Vilma Santiago-Irizarry & Karl Andriessen, 2021. "Strategies to Stay Alive: Adaptive Toolboxes for Living Well with Suicidal Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, July.

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