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Feasibility of a Web‐based Gatekeeper Training: Implications for Suicide Prevention
Author(s) -
Lancaster Paige G.,
Moore J. Taylor,
Putter Stefanie E.,
Chen Peter Y.,
Cigularov Konstantin P.,
Baker Aaron,
Quinnett Paul
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1111/sltb.12086
Subject(s) - flexibility (engineering) , web application , suicide prevention , psychology , poison control , injury prevention , applied psychology , medicine , medical education , clinical psychology , computer science , medical emergency , world wide web , statistics , mathematics
Web‐based training programs have advantages such as increased scheduling flexibility and decreased training costs. Yet the feasibility of applying them to injury prevention programs such as suicide prevention gatekeeper training has not been empirically verified. Two studies were conducted to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a web‐based version of the Q uestion, P ersuade, and R efer ( QPR ) gatekeeper training program. Results of Study 1 revealed that participants in a web‐based training demonstrated significant gains in knowledge of suicide prevention, self‐efficacy for suicide prevention, and behavioral intentions to engage in suicide prevention, as compared to those in a control group. Results of Study 2 further showed that the web‐based training may be as effective as the face‐to‐face QPR training across pre‐ ( T 1) and post training (T2); however, knowledge, self‐efficacy, and behavioral intentions in both groups generally declined from T 2 to 6‐months after the training. Overall, these results provide initial evidence to support the feasibility of adopting web‐based media to deliver gatekeeper training. Moreover, the present findings suggest the need to understand how to maintain gatekeepers’ knowledge, confidence, motivation, and skills after training.