Attitudes Toward Suicide: Perspectives of Patients With Self-Poisoning Suicide, Their Families, and Healthcare Providers Publisher Pubmed



Farahmand K ; Tabatabaee M ; Cheraghali H ; Kaveh K ; Amini H
Source: Asian Journal of Psychiatry Published:2026

Abstract

Objective: Suicide-related stigma is a public health concern that hinders help-seeking and prevention efforts. This study examined the dimensions of stigma among inpatients admitted for self-poisoning, their families, and healthcare providers. Method: In a cross-sectional study, participants included 60 patients admitted following self-poisoning, one family member per patient, and 31 healthcare providers from the Emergency Department. Data were collected using the Personal Suicide Stigma Questionnaire to examine Rejection, Minimization, and Self-blame subscales in patients, and the Persian version of the Attitudes Toward Suicide Scale to evaluate general acceptance of suicide (Factor1), perceived preventability (Factor2), and communication problems (Factor3) in family members and healthcare providers. Results: Patients had a mean age of 30.87 ± 9.9, and were predominantly female (68.3%). Family members had a mean age of 43.25 ± 11.42 (61.7% female), and healthcare providers had a mean age of 36.26 ± 8.47 (58.1% female). Among patients, females scored higher on Minimization and Self-blame subscales. Employment status and education level were associated with Rejection and Minimization subscales. A psychiatric hospitalization history was linked to higher Self-blame. Age correlated negatively with Self-blame. Among family members, marital status was associated with all three factors, and age was positively correlated with perceived preventability and communication problems. Living status and psychiatric history were associated with communication problems. Among healthcare providers, educational level and occupation were associated with communication problems, while work experience was correlated negatively with general acceptance of suicide factor. Most family members (88.3%) and healthcare providers (58.1%) agreed that suicide is avoided in discussion, and about half believed asking about suicide could increase risk. Conclusions: Suicide-related stigma and communication barriers were evident and varied by demographic and psychosocial factors, highlighting the need for targeted stigma-reduction interventions and training programs among stakeholders. © 2026 Elsevier B.V. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.