Evaluation of the Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk Training

Changes in attitudes, confidence, and practice behaviors were assessed among 452 clinicians who completed the training, Recognizing and Responding to Suicide Risk, and who work with clients at risk for suicide. Data were collected at three time points. Scores on measures of attitudes toward suicide prevention and confidence to work with clients at risk for suicide improved over time. Clinical practice behaviors improved for assessing and formulating suicide risk, developing suicide prevention treatment plans, and responding to vignettes. Results suggest training can improve clinicians’ attitudes toward suicide, confidence to work with clients at risk for suicide, and, most importantly, clinical practice skills.     

HUMAN UNIQUENESS FROM A BIOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW

This article seeks to provide some genetic perspectives on the question “Just How Special Are Humans—Really?” It begins with an introduction to how genetic variation can provide information about the past. It continues by discussing two ways in which genetic analyses has, on multiple occasions, shown that humans are less unique than we thought we are. We have a cognitive bias to toward thinking we are special. Our species has colonized an ecological niche not exploited by any other species on our earth, but how much of our adaptation to that niche is cultural rather than genetic?     

Modeling the Longitudinal Direct and Indirect Effects of Attitudes,Self‐Efficacy,and Behavioral Intentions on Practice Behavior Outcomes of Suicide Intervention Training

The purpose of this study was to use a longitudinal path analysis to test attitudes toward suicide prevention, self‐efficacy, and behavioral intentions as mediators/moderators of clinical skill development over time following suicide intervention training. Results support a direct effect of attitudes on practice behaviors and self‐efficacy, but no moderating effect. Self‐efficacy performed as a mediator of practice behaviors over time. Behavioral intention had a direct effect on practice behaviors and mediated the relationship between attitudes and practice behaviors. Implications for research and practice are discussed.