scholarly journals Responses to Concerning Posts on Social Media and Their Implications for Suicide Prevention Training for Military Veterans: Qualitative Study

10.2196/22076 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. e22076
Author(s):  
Alan R Teo ◽  
Wynn Strange ◽  
Ricky Bui ◽  
Steven K Dobscha ◽  
Sarah S Ono
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Relationship Closeness ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Prevention Training ◽  
Suicide Prevention Training

Background A “concerning post” is a display of a user’s emotional crisis on a social media platform. A better understanding of concerning posts is relevant to suicide prevention, but little is known about social media users’ attitudes and responses to concerning posts. Military veterans in the United States are disproportionately affected by suicide, often use social media, and may have exposure to individuals with elevated suicide risk via concerning posts. Objective The objective of the study was (1) to obtain insight into whether and how US military veterans respond to members of their social network on social media (ie, “friends”) who are experiencing substantial emotional distress, and (2) to identify potential interventions that could assist in users’ response to concerning posts. Methods We recruited veterans through Facebook and conducted semistructured interviews with 30 participants between June and December 2017. We used a summary template for rapid analysis of each interview, followed by double-coding using a codebook based on topic domains from the interview guide. Members of the research team met regularly to discuss emerging patterns in the data, generate themes, and select representative quotes for inclusion in the manuscript. Results Veterans were reluctant to disclose emotional and health issues on Facebook, but they were open to reaching out to others’ concerning posts. There was a complex calculus underlying whether and how veterans responded to a concerning post, which involved considering (1) physical proximity to the person posting, (2) relationship closeness, (3) existing responses to the post, and (4) ability to maintain contact with the person. Veterans desired additional training, backed by community-based veteran organizations, in how to respond to concerning posts from peers. Conclusions There is a need to incorporate features that will help veterans effectively respond to concerning posts from peers into suicide prevention training and to expand access for veterans to such training.

scholarly journals Responses to Concerning Posts on Social Media and Their Implications for Suicide Prevention Training for Military Veterans: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan R Teo ◽  
Wynn Strange ◽  
Ricky Bui ◽  
Steven K Dobscha ◽  
Sarah S Ono
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Relationship Closeness ◽  
Us Military ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Prevention Training ◽  
Suicide Prevention Training

BACKGROUND A “concerning post” is a display of a user’s emotional crisis on a social media platform. A better understanding of concerning posts is relevant to suicide prevention, but little is known about social media users’ attitudes and responses to concerning posts. Military veterans in the United States are disproportionately affected by suicide, often use social media, and may have exposure to individuals with elevated suicide risk via concerning posts. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was (1) to obtain insight into whether and how US military veterans respond to members of their social network on social media (ie, “friends”) who are experiencing substantial emotional distress, and (2) to identify potential interventions that could assist in users’ response to concerning posts. METHODS We recruited veterans through Facebook and conducted semistructured interviews with 30 participants between June and December 2017. We used a summary template for rapid analysis of each interview, followed by double-coding using a codebook based on topic domains from the interview guide. Members of the research team met regularly to discuss emerging patterns in the data, generate themes, and select representative quotes for inclusion in the manuscript. RESULTS Veterans were reluctant to disclose emotional and health issues on Facebook, but they were open to reaching out to others’ concerning posts. There was a complex calculus underlying whether and how veterans responded to a concerning post, which involved considering (1) physical proximity to the person posting, (2) relationship closeness, (3) existing responses to the post, and (4) ability to maintain contact with the person. Veterans desired additional training, backed by community-based veteran organizations, in how to respond to concerning posts from peers. CONCLUSIONS There is a need to incorporate features that will help veterans effectively respond to concerning posts from peers into suicide prevention training and to expand access for veterans to such training.

Sustaining the Effects of Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training

Crisis ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Shtivelband ◽  
Patricia A. Aloise-Young ◽  
Peter Y. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Program Improvement ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Gatekeeper Training ◽  
Prevention Training ◽  
Continued Learning ◽  
Suicide Prevention Training

Background: Gatekeeper training is a promising suicide prevention strategy that is growing in popularity. Although gatekeeper training programs have been found to improve trainee knowledge, self-efficacy, and perceived skills, researchers have found that the benefit of gatekeeper training may not last over time. Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify strategies for strengthening the long-term effects of suicide prevention gatekeeper training. Method: In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with gatekeepers (N = 44) and data were analyzed using a qualitative research approach. Results: The results of this study suggest that posttraining interventions may be more effective if they include the following seven themes: (a) social network – connecting with other gatekeepers; (b) continued learning – further education; (c) community outreach – building awareness; (d) accessibility – convenience; (e) reminders – ongoing communication; (f) program improvement –- enhancing previous training; and (g) certification – accreditation. Conclusion: Posttraining interventions that incorporate the themes from this study offer a promising direction in which to sustain the effects of gatekeeper suicide prevention training.

scholarly journals Social Media Use Among Foot and Ankle Orthopedic Surgeons

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 247301142098192
Author(s):  
Garret Garofolo-Gonzalez ◽  
Cesar R. Iturriaga ◽  
Jordan B. Pasternack ◽  
Adam Bitterman ◽  
Gregory P. Guyton
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Media Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Social Media Platform ◽  
Orthopedic Surgeons ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Social Media Presence

Background: Digital media is an effective tool to enhance brand recognition and is currently referenced by more than 40% of orthopedic patients when selecting a physician. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of social media among foot and ankle (F&A) orthopedic surgeons, and the impact of that social media presence on scores of a physician-rated website (PRW). Methods: Randomly selected F&A orthopedic surgeons from all major geographical locations across the United States were identified using the AAOS.org website. Internet searches were then performed using the physician’s name and the respective social media platform. A comprehensive social media use index (SMI) was created for each surgeon using a scoring system based on social media platform use. The use of individual platforms and SMI was compared to the F&A surgeon’s Healthgrades scores. Descriptive statistics, unpaired Student t tests, and linear regression were used to assess the effect of social media on the PRW scores. Results: A total of 123 board-certified F&A orthopedic surgeons were included in our study demonstrating varying social media use: Facebook (48.8%), Twitter (15.4%), YouTube (23.6%), LinkedIn (47.9%), personal website (24.4%), group website (52.9%), and Instagram (0%). The mean SMI was 2.4 ± 1.6 (range 0-7). Surgeons who used a Facebook page were older, whereas those using a group website were younger ( P < .05). F&A orthopedic surgeons with a YouTube page had statistically higher Healthgrades scores compared to those without ( P < .05). Conclusion: F&A orthopedic surgeons underused social media platforms in their clinical practice. Among all the platforms studied, a YouTube page was the most impactful social media platform on Healthgrades scores for F&A orthopedic surgeons. Given these findings, we recommend that physicians closely monitor their digital identity and maintain a diverse social media presence including a YouTube page to promote their clinical practice. Level of Evidence: Level IV.

scholarly journals Telecommunication and Suicide Prevention: Hopes and Challenges for the New Century

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina E. Krysinska ◽  
Diego De Leo
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Crisis Intervention ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Prevention Research ◽  
Suicide Risk Assessment ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Prevention Training ◽  
Suicide Prevention Training ◽  
Internet Telephone

Development of information technology has created new opportunities and challenges in suicide prevention, research, and clinical practice. This article presents an overview of the wide range of telecommunication-based suicide prevention approaches. Interventions using the Internet, telephone, and videoconferencing are discussed, including crisis intervention, referral, and support, suicide risk assessment, psychotherapy for individuals at risk, and online-based suicide prevention training and education. Research regarding effectiveness of telecommunication-based suicide prevention in various demographic and clinical populations is reviewed, as well as concerns regarding this type of intervention. Future areas of research and development in the use of telecommunication media in prevention of suicide are discussed.

scholarly journals 140 Characters of Intoxication: Exploring the Prevalence of Alcohol-Related Tweets and Predicting Their Virality

SAGE Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 215824401880313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleem Alhabash ◽  
Courtland VanDam ◽  
Pang-Ning Tan ◽  
Sandi W. Smith ◽  
Gregory Viken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Past Research ◽  
The United States ◽  
Excessive Drinking ◽  
User Characteristics ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Widespread Phenomenon

Past research has suggested an associative relationship between social media use and alcohol consumption, especially among the younger generations. The current study takes a generalizable approach to examining the prevalence of posting about alcohol on a popular social media platform, Twitter, as well as examining the predictors of a tweet’s virality. We content-analyzed more than 47.5 million tweets that were posted in March 2015 to explore the prevalence of alcohol-related references, and how alcohol-related references, tweet features (e.g., inclusion of hashtags, pictures, etc.), and user characteristics (e.g., number of followers) contribute to the tweet’s virality. Our findings showed that during March 2015, about two of every 100 tweets in the United States were alcohol-related; whereas the majority of those referenced intoxication. In addition to tweet features and user characteristics, the prevalence of alcohol-related references in a tweet positively predicted the number of likes it received, yet negatively predicted the number of retweets. Given prior evidence supporting the association between social media use and alcohol consumption, the prevalence of alcohol references in tweets and how that contributes to their virality offers insights into the widespread phenomenon of glorifying alcohol use and excessive drinking via social media, pointing to potential negative health consequences.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document