Examined the death anxiety of interventionists (N=109) and its relation to skill in responding to suicidal clients. Compared to matched controls, the interventionists were found to have significantly lower death anxiety. Moreover, no relationship between death anxiety and suicide counseling skill could be identified. (Author/BL)

Investigates the relationship of professional and personal factors to the ability of counselors to respond appropriately to suicidal verbalizations, using the Suicide Intervention Response Inventory (SIRI). The results highlight the importance of attitudes toward suicide and personal history of suicidality, as well as training and experience, in…

Relative to controls, crisis workers have consistently higher apprehension about their own mortality. Significance for selection and training of suicide counselors is noted. (Author)

The Suicide Intervention Response Inventory demonstrated the ability to discriminate among respondents known to differ in suicide counseling skills and detected enhancement of such skills in volunteers over the course of crisis intervention training. It may be useful in screening and evaluating paraprofessionals who deal with potentially suicidal…