Peer-Reviewed Journal Details
Mandatory Fields
Kearns, M,Muldoon, OT,Msetfi, R,Surgenor, PWG
2017
December
European Journal Of Social Psychology
Darkness into light? Identification with the crowd at a suicide prevention fundraiser promotes well-being amongst participants
Published
()
Optional Fields
suicide bereavement social identity crowd identity psychological wellbeing charity SOCIAL IDENTITY COLLECTIVE ACTION GROUP MEMBERSHIPS SURVIVORS DISCRIMINATION BEREAVEMENT SYMPTOMS IRELAND PARENTS SUPPORT
47
878
888
Suicide is recognised to be subject to social contagion, with an elevated risk of adverse outcomes amongst those affected. Drawing upon research within the social identity approach, we hypothesised that, for those bereaved by suicide, identifying with similar others could provide 'a social cure'. A large cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study were carried out at a charity fundraiser for suicide prevention, with participants completing an online survey before and after the event. Results showed that, for those who lost someone they knew(Study 1) or a family member (Study 2) to suicide, there was a significant increase in psychological well-being after the event. This was mediated by identification with the crowd. These findings demonstrate that collective participation in a suicide awareness event can be an effective social intervention for those bereaved by suicide in terms of psychological wellbeing, with implications for informing best-practice interventions targeting this at-risk group.
10.1002/ejsp.2304
Grant Details