Assessment of Psychiatrists and Nurses’ Attitudes toward Suicide Behaviour

Abstract

Background: Psychiatrists and nurses are anticipated to prevent suicide behaviour, but their limited experience and lack of knowledge of patients with suicidal attempts have influenced their perception. A significant association between health care providers’ attitudes and the course of suicidal behaviour treatment. Purpose: current scientific paper aimed to assess Psychiatrists’ and nurses’ attitudes towards suicide and suicide attempters in Saudi Arabia. Method: Cross-sectional investigation was conducted in a Psychiatric hospital in North Saudi Arabia. A convenience sample of psychiatrists and nurses (N = 132). The response rate was 88%. The Modified Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (SOQ) was employed to evaluate psychiatrists’ and nurses’ attitudes toward suicide. Results: attitudes toward suicide behaviour among psychiatrists and nurses were positive. The findings of these studies demonstrate that psychiatrists and nurses held positive attitudes toward suicide in the categories of professional role, beliefs, communication and seeking attention. Also, the evidence revealed in the current paper demonstrates that psychiatrists expressed more positive attitudes toward suicidal behaviour than nursing staff. Moreover, psychiatrists and nurses who have a higher level of education recorded higher scores on the positive attitudes scale towards suicidal behaviour. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference between respondents’ attitudes toward suicide behaviour and their years of experience. Finally, psychiatrists and nurses who have a personal history of suicide behaviour have more positive attitudes toward suicide ideation. Conclusion/Implication for Future Practice: Psychiatrists and nurses had favourable attitudes towards suicide attempters. Health care organizations need to provide support to professionals by exposing them to suicide prevention programs and it was expected to improve and enhance the attitudes toward suicidal behaviour. In addition, psychiatrists and nurses, when they are aware of their opinions and attitudes toward suicide behaviour, can help their patients through the expression of their own thoughts and fears, which can lead to increased communication and trust.