Sarah Ko, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

Abstract:

Background: Suicide is a significant public health issue in the United States, with 50,000 deaths in 2022, and the Korean American community has almost twice the national average of suicide rate. Korean American nurses are therefore key frontline healthcare providers in suicide prevention. Objectives: This project aimed to address the gap in suicide prevention education among Korean American nurses in Los Angeles by implementing a two-day Korean-Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (K-ASIST) program. The primary aim was to improve suicide prevention skills and attitudes among Korean American nurses, ultimately contributing to reducing suicide rates in the Korean community. Methods: A pre-posttest design was utilized. Data collection included demographic information, knowledge assessment, confidence and competency evaluations, and attitudes toward suicide, and satisfaction. Statistical analyses comprised descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Results: Fourteen Korean American nurses, averaging an age of 27 at U.S. arrival with 20 years of residency, attended the workshop. The workshop led to a slight, non-significant increase in knowledge about suicide prevention (pre-test mean: 7.93, SD=0.997; post-test mean: 8.71, SD=1.490; p = 0.059, t = -2.065) and a significant enhancement in confidence and competency for suicide intervention (pre-test mean: 3.36, SD=1.336; post-test mean: 4.64, SD=0.633; p = 0.013, t = -2.857). Attitudes toward suicide showed a non-significant decrease in the belief that "suicide is wrong" (pre-test mean: 4.07, SD=1.072; post-test mean: 3.64, SD=1.277; p = 0.306, t = 1.066) and a notable increase in the belief that "everyone has a right to suicide" (pre-test mean: 2.29, SD=1.204; post-test mean: 3.36, SD=1.336; p = 0.008, t = -3.160). Overall, participant satisfaction with the workshop was above 90%. Conclusion: The culturally sensitive K-ASIST program enhanced suicide intervention skills and attitudes among participants. Although knowledge increases were modest, the program's ability to improve direct interactions with at-risk individuals and high participant satisfaction show potential for reducing suicide within the Korean American community. The encouraging initial results highlight the importance of further research to confirm these findings and their broader relevance. Ultimately, this study adds to the evidence supporting the value of culturally adapted training in preparing healthcare professionals to address the specific challenges of suicide prevention as well as mental health broadly within diverse populations.

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