TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2021//
TI  - Educating crisis supporters about self-harm and suicide in older adults
JO  - American journal of geriatric psychiatry
A1  - Wand, Anne P. F.
A1  - Jessop, Tiffany
A1  - Peisah, Carmelle
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe existing knowledge of crisis supporters (volunteers responding to crisis calls/texts/messages) regarding self-harm and suicide in older adults and investigate knowledge translation through use of a novel online adaptive learning tool. <br><br>METHODS: The online educational tool was tested in an Australian national sample of crisis supporters (trained volunteers) aged 18+. Knowledge Transfer was evaluated utilizing a pre/post intervention methodology for data collection. The collaboratively developed online educational tool comprised a pre-test (10 questions), middle learning module (individualised for participant's incorrect pre-test responses) and post-test (10 questions) on suicidal behaviours in older adults. Data analysed included the demographic characteristics of the participants, individual question scores, and summed pre- and post-tests scores. Group differences in change scores were assessed with either one-way between subjects ANOVA or independent samples t-test, depending on the number of groups within each variable. Pre-post education comparisons on individual change in scores were made using a paired samples t-test. Statistical significance was defined as p <0.05. <br><br>RESULTS: 104 crisis supporters completed the tool (pre-test, middle lesson and post-test). There was significant improvement in knowledge of crisis supporters after the intervention (pre-test scores Mean (M) = 4.56, SD = 1.62 and post-test scores M = 7.61, SD = 1.60; t (103) = 17.242, p <0.001.). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Dedicated training about suicidal behaviors in older adults is needed given their high rates of suicide and differing underlying reasons and needs compared to younger adults.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1064-7481
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2021.10.006
ID  - ref1
ER  -