Suicide prevention measures at high-risk locations: a goal-directed motivation perspective
Article
Joyner, L., Mackenzie, J.M., Willis, A., Phillips, P., Cliffe, B., Marsh, I., Pettersen, E., Hawton, K. and Marzano, L. 2025. Suicide prevention measures at high-risk locations: a goal-directed motivation perspective. Behavioral Sciences. 15 (8). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081009
| Type | Article |
|---|---|
| Title | Suicide prevention measures at high-risk locations: a goal-directed motivation perspective |
| Authors | Joyner, L., Mackenzie, J.M., Willis, A., Phillips, P., Cliffe, B., Marsh, I., Pettersen, E., Hawton, K. and Marzano, L. |
| Abstract | Understanding the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for high-risk locations can often be challenging as many rely, at least to some degree, on psychological processes (e.g., engaging with help-seeking behaviours). Establishing how these measures may influence decision-making during a suicide attempt could be helpful for understanding how and when they may be most effective at preventing deaths. In the present work, we consider how suicide prevention measures may influence “goal pur-suit” as it unfolds. Drawing on findings from across the suicide prevention literature, we apply the descriptive framework outlined in GOAL Architecture to consider how different measures may shape perceptions of “distance”, “time”, and “rate of progress” and, in turn, could influence levels of motivational drive associated with specific acts (e.g., “ac-cessing means for suicide”). This is discussed in relation to real-time decisions around accessing means for suicide, avoiding intervention by a third-party, and engaging in help-seeking behaviours. As well as the psychological processes which could encourage or prevent an individual from disengaging from a suicide attempt, we also consider potential risks and influence of person-level factors. |
| Keywords | suicide attempt; suicide prevention; goal pursuit; motivation; means restriction; built environment; surveillance; help-seeking |
| Sustainable Development Goals | 3 Good health and well-being |
| Middlesex University Theme | Health & Wellbeing |
| Research Group | Centre for Abuse, Trauma and Suicide Studies (CATS) |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Journal | Behavioral Sciences |
| ISSN | |
| Electronic | 2076-328X |
| Publication dates | |
| Online | 25 Jul 2025 |
| Aug 2025 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Submitted | 30 May 2025 |
| Accepted | 18 Jul 2025 |
| Deposited | 28 Jul 2025 |
| Output status | Published |
| Publisher's version | License File Access Level Open |
| Copyright Statement | © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081009 |
| PubMed ID | 40867366 |
| PubMed Central ID | PMC12382622 |
| Web of Science identifier | WOS:001557878500001 |
| Language | English |
https://repository.mdx.ac.uk/item/286540
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