Suicidal and Online: How Do Online Behaviors Inform Us of This High-Risk Population?

Abstract

To assist suicide prevention we need a better understanding of how suicidal individuals act in their environment, and the online world offers an ideal opportunity to examine daily behaviors. This anonymous survey (N = 1,016) provides first-of-its-kind empirical evidence demonstrating suicide-risk people (n = 290) are unique in their online behaviors. Suicidal users reported more time online, greater likelihood of developing online personal relationships, and greater use of online forums. In addition, suicide-risk women reported more time browsing/surfing and social networking. The authors conclude that suicide prevention efforts should respond to suicide-risk users' greater demands for online interpersonal communications.

Notes

Note: d = Cohen's d. Surfing = random browsing surfing; Social Net = social networking; Entertain = entertainment uses. Online uses listed in descending order of suicide-risk participants' means, measured on an ordinal scale (0 = 0 h, 1 = 1–5 h, 7 = 31 + h).

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001 (Bonferroni adjusted, α/11).

Note: The ORBS is scored as follows: 1 = never; 7 = frequently. d = Cohen's d.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001 (Bonferroni adjusted, α/5).

Note: d = Cohen's d. Help sources presented in descending order of suicide-risk participants' mean scores (1 = extremely unlikely, 7 = extremely likely, to seek help from that source for suicidal thoughts). MHP = mental health professional; GP = general practitioner; eMHP = online MHP; Forum = online forum.

*p < .05. **p < .01. ***p < .001 (Bonferroni adjusted, α/10).