A Mixed Methods Study to Explore the Receptivity of Public Service Announcements About Suicide Prevention at Three Baseball Games in Pennsylvania

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

12-8-2017

Comments

Advisor: Amy Leader, Jefferson College of Population Health, Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA

Abstract

Suicide continues to be an increasing public health problem. This capstone explored spectator reception to public service announcements (PSAs) concerning suicide prevention at baseball games in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A mixed methods questionnaire was administered to a convenience sampling of spectators at ‘Suicide Prevention Night at the Ball Park’ (SPN) in each city. The questionnaire determined participants’ general perception of the appropriateness of suicide prevention messaging at baseball games, while assessing participants’ increased desire to discuss suicide prevention with friends and family members due to this event. In addition, spectators were asked to tweet a message to assess potential impact of spectators spreading the message in real time. There were 222 respondents overall. In general, most respondents thought the baseball games were appropriate places for the suicide prevention messaging in order to spread awareness to varying ages. Other respondents mentioned being more willing to discuss suicide prevention with friends and family members after this event because it brought the subject to the forefront.

Presentation: 9:02

Language

English

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