Factors Affecting Stigma toward Suicidal Individuals in Nurses at Emergency Medical Center

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate compassion and suicide literacy as factors related to stigma for suicide attempts, and tried to use it as evidence for intervention to reduce nurses’ stigma toward suicidal individuals. Methods: The subjects of this study were 129 nurses working at emergency medical centers of two hospitals located in D city. Data were collected through a self-reporting questionnaire, containing items on general characteristics, stigma toward suicidal individuals, compassion and suicide literacy. Results: The stigma toward suicidal individuals was high in antisocial and incompetence factor. In multiple regression analysis, factors affecting stigma toward suicidal individuals were compassion and clinical experience. The total explanatory power of the regression model was 18%. Conclusion: Compassion can be effective strategies for nurses to reduce stigma toward suicidal individuals and maximize helping behaviors. It is essential to develop educational materials and provide adequate training to enhance the capacity for compassion among nurses working at emergency medical centers, who are the first to care for suicide attempts.