Citation

Shannonhouse L, Lin YD, Shaw K, Wanna R, Porter M. J. Am. Coll. Health 2017; 65(7): 450-456.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2017.1341893

PMID

28628372

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Suicide remains a pressing issue for college communities. Consequently, gate-keeper trainings are often provided for staff. This study examines the effect of one such program, Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST). PARTICIPANTS: 51 college employees received ASIST in August of 2014 and were compared to 30 wait-list control participants.

METHODS: MR-ANOVA were used to analyze pre- and post-training: (a) skills at responding to students-at-risk; (b) attitudes towards suicide; (c) knowledge about suicide; and (d) comfort/competence/confidence at helping a student-at-risk.

RESULTS: Significant positive training effects were observed for ASIST on self-report measures and also for objectively assessed skill at responding, after adjusting for a potential scoring limitation of the Suicide Intervention Response Inventory, Revised (SIRI-2).

CONCLUSIONS: ASIST improved the self-perception of college staff at working with students-at-risk of suicide and also their skills at performing an intervention. Further, analysis of SIRI-2 data provides support for a potential instrument revision.

Language: en

Keywords

College Counseling; Measurement Issues; Suicide Intervention Skills; Suicide Prevention