Citation

Shuxian L, Mei S, Siyuan T. Acta Bioeth. 2022; 28(2): 269-279.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Programa Regional de Bioética de la Organización Panamericana de la Salud/Organización Mundial de la Salud)

DOI

10.4067/S1726-569X2022000200269

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the increasing number of internet users, it becomes feasible to identify individuals at high risk of suicide and then carry out online suicide prevention. At the same time, online suicide prevention volunteers may encounter moral distress, which requires more attention.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the experience of moral distress in online suicide prevention.

METHOD: The study was carried out as a qualitative study following the method of phenomenology. 11 interviewers were recruited through the purposive sampling method. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth face-to-face interviews. Colaizzi's phenomenological framework was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: All participants reported they encountered moral distress during online suicide prevention. Four themes were condensed, including: "constraints from the surrounding," "be cruel to be kind," "baby spoiled by free milk," and "when face death and depression" Participants also described their emotional experiences and response when they encountered moral distress.

CONCLUSION: Moral distress in the process of online suicide prevention exists. More attention should be paid to the moral distress and ethical issues in online suicide prevention as the internet gradually becomes a brand-new way to prevent suicide. © 2022, Universidad de Chile - Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios en Bioetica. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; antidepressant agent; Article; attention; child; confusion; coping behavior; depression; distress syndrome; emotional stress; ethical dilemma; female; human; Internet; interview; male; mental health; mental health/psychiatry; milk; moral distress; nurse; online analysis; online suicide prevention; phenomenology; police; prenatal care; psychiatrist; psychiatry; psychologist; psychology; public health; qualitative research; questionnaire; semi structured interview; suicide; thematic analysis; training; uncertainty; volunteer; weakness