What factors influence Australian media professionals' level of agreement with guidelines for reporting suicide

Bibliographic Data

ID5904185
AuthorsJaelea Skehan (0000-0003-4854-7243, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia, corresponding author), Ross Tynan (School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia), Renate Thienel (0000-0003-0381-7828, School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Australia), Jane Pirkis (0000-0002-2538-4472, The University of Melbourne), Myfanwy Maple (0000-0001-9398-4886, University of New England), Brian Kelly (0000-0003-1834-2992, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia)
Year2025
Publication date2025-01-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedia International Australia (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1329-878X • E-ISSN: 2200-467X
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1329878x241309369
OpenAlexW4406301089
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

This study examined whether Australian media professionals agree with guidelines for reporting suicide (Mindframe guidelines) and the factors that may influence their level of agreement. Participants completed an online survey to assess their level of agreement with Mindframe guidelines and to explore factors that might be associated with guideline agreement. These factors included demographic variables, suicide stigma, exposure to suicide, perceived strength of the evidence, personal use of guidelines, organisational compliance with guidelines and prior exposure to Mindframe. In total, 262 Australian media professionals from broadcast, print, digital and other media were recruited. Participants agreed with 15 of the 16 guideline statements, with linear regression showing that prior exposure to Mindframe was a significant predictor of agreement as was the perceived strength of the evidence, personal application of guidelines and stigma. Guidelines for reporting suicide should be enhanced by an active implementation strategy informed by knowledge and views of media professionals

Family medicine · Guideline · Medical emergency · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Psychiatry · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies