Suicide Attempt Survivorship and Designation as a Concealable Stigmatized Identity

Abstract

Despite literature on unique challenges faced by people living with concealable stigmatized identities (CSIs), no research has explored this concept among suicide attempt survivors. Social network interviews with 26 attempt survivors about their family relationships were used to assess whether attempt-survivor status is consistent with CSI criteria. Participants concealed their attempt from 51% of family members and perceived that 46% of them held stigmatizing attitudes toward attempt survivors. Additionally, 42% agreed that being a survivor is central to who they are, and 46% indicated they commonly thought about being an attempt survivor. Applying the CSI concept to attempt survivors establishes conceptual linkages to resources and interventions developed for other CSIs, which could increase the field’s ability to respond to attempt-survivor needs.

Social Support Mediates the Association between Disclosure of Suicide Attempt and Depression, Perceived Burdensomeness, and Thwarted Belongingness

“…It is estimated that 1.3 million adults make one or more suicide attempts each year in the United States (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), ), which puts them at a significantly elevated risk to die by suicide in the future (Harris & Barraclough, ). Because survivors of suicide attempts can be considered to have a concealable stigmatized status (Fulginiti & Frey, ), it is likely that disclosure of this stigmatized status to a trusted confidant will result in improved psychological well‐being (Chaudoir & Fisher, ). Prior research on disclosure of suicide attempts suggests the amount of information individuals disclose about their suicide attempt to trusted confidants (i.e., family members) is associated with better reactions to the disclosure, which is associated with decreased suicide risk factors (Frey & Fulginiti, ; Frey, Hans, & Cerel, ).…”

“…A concealable stigmatized identity is a socially devalued attribute that is not readily apparent to others, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive status (Pachankis, ). Previous research has identified suicide attempt survivorship (henceforth, attempt survivorship) as a concealable stigmatized identity due to its possession of three core features that characterize concealable stigmatized identities: concealability, perceived stigmatization, and attribute salience to an individual’s identity (Fulginiti & Frey, ). Specifically, Fulginiti and Frey () demonstrate the concealability of attempt survivorship by reporting 29% of the familial relationships identified by suicide attempt survivors via a network analysis procedure involved no disclosure of attempt survivorship status.…”

“…Previous research has identified suicide attempt survivorship (henceforth, attempt survivorship) as a concealable stigmatized identity due to its possession of three core features that characterize concealable stigmatized identities: concealability, perceived stigmatization, and attribute salience to an individual’s identity (Fulginiti & Frey, ). Specifically, Fulginiti and Frey () demonstrate the concealability of attempt survivorship by reporting 29% of the familial relationships identified by suicide attempt survivors via a network analysis procedure involved no disclosure of attempt survivorship status. Using different data collection methods, Frey, Hans, and Cerel (, p. 98) found 11% of attempt survivors did not disclose their suicide attempt to the family member “with whom they talk the most about life’s challenges.” The stigmatization of attempt survivorship is indicated by high rates of perceived stigma in those who have attempted suicide (Frey, Hans, & Cerel, ; Fulginiti & Frey, ).…”

“…Specifically, Fulginiti and Frey () demonstrate the concealability of attempt survivorship by reporting 29% of the familial relationships identified by suicide attempt survivors via a network analysis procedure involved no disclosure of attempt survivorship status. Using different data collection methods, Frey, Hans, and Cerel (, p. 98) found 11% of attempt survivors did not disclose their suicide attempt to the family member “with whom they talk the most about life’s challenges.” The stigmatization of attempt survivorship is indicated by high rates of perceived stigma in those who have attempted suicide (Frey, Hans, & Cerel, ; Fulginiti & Frey, ). Survivors of suicide attempts report 46% of the familial relationships in their social networks hold stigmatizing views about suicide (Fulginiti & Frey, ), and 21%–61% reported stigmatizing experiences from various health care providers and social network members with whom they had contact following a suicide attempt (Frey et al, ).…”

“…Using different data collection methods, Frey, Hans, and Cerel (, p. 98) found 11% of attempt survivors did not disclose their suicide attempt to the family member “with whom they talk the most about life’s challenges.” The stigmatization of attempt survivorship is indicated by high rates of perceived stigma in those who have attempted suicide (Frey, Hans, & Cerel, ; Fulginiti & Frey, ). Survivors of suicide attempts report 46% of the familial relationships in their social networks hold stigmatizing views about suicide (Fulginiti & Frey, ), and 21%–61% reported stigmatizing experiences from various health care providers and social network members with whom they had contact following a suicide attempt (Frey et al, ). Finally, saliency to identity is evidenced by 42% of suicide attempt survivors acknowledging attempt survivorship as a central part of their identity (Fulginiti & Frey, ).…”