Citation

O'neal SE, Range LM. Death Stud. 1993; 17(2): 143-149.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07481189308252611

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

To see if specific circumstances encourage or discourage helpful responses to suicide threats, 141 undergraduates read a one-paragraph vignette about a suicidal person with either AIDS, depression, drug abuse, anxiety, or adjustment problems. Students then wrote five responses, which on average were mildly unhelpful regardless of circumstance. A suicidal person who was HIV positive engendered significantly less helpful responses than a suicidal person who had panic attacks.

RESULTS suggest that, for suicidal persons, revealing life circumstances fails to engender increased empathy in college students.

Language: en