ERIC Number: EJ892431
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1537-7903
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Improving School Psychologists' Knowledge and Confidence Pertinent to Suicide Prevention through Professional Development
Suldo, Shannon; Loker, Troy; Friedrich, Allison; Sundman, Ashley; Cunningham, Jennifer; Saari, Bonnie; Schatzberg, Tracy
Journal of Applied School Psychology, v26 n3 p177-197 2010
This study evaluated a professional development intervention that stemmed from a university-district partnership and was developed through participatory action research. Baseline and postintervention survey items showed participating school psychologists' (n = 57) knowledge related to youth suicide improved reliably immediately after the intervention in all content knowledge areas. At 9-month follow-up, participants (n = 41) retained knowledge gains relevant to assessment and intervention strategies, whereas knowledge relevant to prevention and postvention activities declined. Increases in participants' confidence in their abilities to execute different suicide-related professional activities and in their confidence in working with diverse youth in relation to suicide risk maintained over time. At follow-up, 87% of participants who had received referrals for suicidal students reported accessing products from the professional development, compared with 40% of practitioners without the impetus of a suicidal student. Participants rated the professional development to be between "mostly" and "very" useful in facilitating their work with suicidal youth. (Contains 5 tables.)
Descriptors: Intervention, Action Research, Prevention, School Psychologists, Suicide, Professional Development, At Risk Persons, Program Evaluation, Program Effectiveness, Self Esteem, College School Cooperation, Urban Areas, Knowledge Level, Competence, Counseling Techniques, Agency Cooperation, Legal Responsibility, Ethics
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A