Date of Award

1-1-2016

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

College/School/Department

Department of Educational and Counseling Psychology

Program

School Psychology

Content Description

1 online resource (xii, 95 pages)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

David Miller

Committee Members

Callen Kostelnik, Kevin Quinn

Keywords

Youth, Suicide, School health services, School psychologists

Subject Categories

Educational Psychology | Psychology

Abstract

Suicide is a significant public health problem in the United States and is currently the second leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24. Due to the seriousness and pervasiveness of the problem of youth suicide, schools are being asked to take a prominent role in its prevention. School psychologists are one of the mental health professionals within schools that have an important role in school-based suicide prevention and intervention. However, there are many barriers to school-based suicide prevention, with myths about suicide being one of the most dangerous and significant barrier. The goal of the current study was to examine the knowledge of school psychologists regarding several common myths associated with suicide that often inhibit effective suicide prevention efforts. Members of the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP) were surveyed in an attempt to identify school psychologists’ knowledge of common youth suicide myths and facts. The results of this study indicated that a majority of school psychologists in the sample demonstrated low overall knowledge on statements related to common myths about youth suicide. Further, no demographic variables were found to be associated with school psychologists’ knowledge of suicide myths. Limitations of the study were noted, as were implications of the study related to schools, the field of school psychology, and suicide prevention.

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