Adolescent Suicide Prevention: Peer Counseling as a Tool in Reducing Suicidal Thoughts
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Authors
Taylor, Elise M.
Issue Date
1990
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This is a study of the use of peer counseling in reducing suicidal ideation (the most consistent predictor of suicidal behavior) in teenagers. A peer counseling program was set up at a midsized public high school, and "problem" students were referred there as potential clients. Junior and senior class psychology students were trained in basic humanistic peer counseling skills, and were assigned a specific client. An original test instrument, the Coping Survey, was designed and used at the beginning and end of the ten-week pilot program to determine coping mechanisms and suicidal ideation of the test group (clients), and a control group of students not involved with the orogram. Statistical results comparing the group means of the test and control groups, as well. as the peer counselors, are presented, but for a number of reasons, analysis of the data to prove the hypothesis was not possible. Some of the economic and management issues involved in school-based suicide prevention programs are also addressed.