Examining the relationship between attitudes toward suicide and suicide attempt history: A study of United States firefighters

Background: Relatively little is known regarding the relationship between attitudes toward suicide, suicide attempt (SA) history, and future suicidal behaviors. Aims: Utilizing a sample of firefighters, this study compared attitudes toward suicide between individuals with/without a career SA history and evaluated whether certain attitudes toward suicide are associated with a greater self-reported likelihood of making a future SA. Method: US firefighters (N = 818) completed self-report measures. One-way ANOVAs and linear regression analyses were utilized to address study aims. Results: Firefighters with a career SA reported significantly greater normalization/glorification of suicide - yet lower attributions of suicide to isolation/depression - than those without this history. More stigmatizing attitudes toward suicide and greater normalization/glorification of suicide were each significantly associated with greater self-reported future SA likelihood. Limitations: Data were cross-sectional and findings may not be generalizable. Conclusion: Firefighters who have made an SA during their firefighting careers may normalize and glorify suicide more than those who have not. These attitudes may be associated with greater self-perceived risk for future SAs. Research is needed to replicate findings and evaluate strategies for targeting potentially harmful beliefs about suicide among SA survivors.