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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE
This research aimed to assess the frequency and impact of client suicides on psychologists in Australia.
Method
Participants were 178 psychologists who completed an online self-report questionnaire concerning the frequency of occurrence and impact of client suicide.
Result
Fifty six (31.5%) participants reported one or more client suicides. Psychologists with more years of experience reported more client suicides. Participants who had experienced a client suicide reported a range of emotional, cognitive and behavioural reactions as well as professional impacts. Ratings of responsibility, preventability and predictability of a client suicide were associated with emotional and/or professional impacts. Beneficial coping responses included talking to supervisors and colleagues, recognising the psychologist is not responsible and having increased acceptance of a client suicide.
Conclusions
The findings have important implications for training, workplace practices and research.
Language: en |