Citation

Marutani M, Yamamoto-Mitani N, Kodama S. Public Health Nurs. 2016; 33(4): 325-334.

Affiliation

Department of Community Health Nursing and Nursing Informatics, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima-Ken, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/phn.12247

PMID

26813038

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Suicide is a major health issue worldwide, including in Japan. Japanese public health nurses (PHNs) play a distinctive role in suicide prevention, although few studies have delineated this role. The purpose of this study was to develop a conceptual framework that elucidates PHNs' activities for suicide prevention. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2012-2013 with 15 PHNs who worked in Tokyo metropolitan regions. Data were analyzed qualitatively using grounded theory, and a conceptual framework with seven categories was developed.

RESULTS: Three phases that depict the PHNs' suicide prevention activities emerged. Phase I, Pursuing to understand suicide cases, included two categories: tracing back individual suicide cases and raising consciousness among the general public. Phase II, Spreading a web of care, included three categories: knitting a caring network, weaving regular programs into the web, and continuing to be a member of the web. Phase III, Maintaining motivation and commitment, included two categories: legitimatizing suicide prevention and cultivating continued commitment in the community.

CONCLUSION: The activities of suicide prevention by PHNs included a process of developing a caring network that lead to the enhancement of the caring capacity of the community as a whole.

Language: en