Attitudes of Emergency Department Staff Toward Individuals Who Have Attempted Suicide and Associated Factors

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the attitudes of emergency department (ED) staff toward people who have attempted suicide and the factors associated with these attitudes. Method: This study was conducted between January and February 2023 and included 147 participants working in an ED in a city in Türkiye. Data were collected using a personal information form and the Attitude Scale Towards Attempted Suicide Cases for Evaluating Emergency Medical Teams (ASETSA). Results: Participants' mean years of experience in emergency services was 4.63 years ( SD = 3.97 years) and mean perceived level of competence in intervening in suicidal behavior was 6.08 ( SD = 2.16). Total mean ASETSA score of participants was 114.68 ( SD = 12.31). Factors such as marital status, educational level, profession, working unit, working shift, having received training on how to approach a person who has attempted suicide, existence of a written procedure in the department, years of ED experience, and perceived level of competence in intervening in suicidal behavior were associated with positive attitudes toward people who have attempted suicide. Conclusion: It is recommended that formal education curricula address how to approach people who have attempted suicide, that randomized controlled trials regarding the impact of in-service training be performed, and that studies evaluating the contribution of trainings to improvements in patient outcomes be conducted. [ Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx (xx), xx–xx.]