Perceptions of romantic partners' responses to disclosures of suicidality

Abstract

AbstractThis mixed‐methods study examines how adults in the United States perceive their romantic partner's response to disclosures of suicidality and how romantic relationship characteristics relate to perceptions of disclosure responses. Participants (N = 30) recruited from Reddit completed a survey using open‐ and closed‐ended questions about disclosing suicidality to a romantic partner. Qualitative findings highlight validating and invalidating disclosure responses. Validating responses include two subthemes: (a) emotional, nondirective support, and (b) instrumental, directive support. Invalidating responses are coded when partners are dismissive or display lack of concern. Meta‐inferences from qualitative and quantitative findings reveal associations between participants who perceive their partners' responses as (in)validating and multiple romantic relationship characteristics. Our findings have implications about supporting individuals struggling with suicidality and their romantic partners.