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Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
Published on: January 17, 2025
Peer response to messages of distress
Alison L Barton1, Jameson K Hirsch, M Christine Lovejoy
1Department of Human Development and Learning, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. barton@etsu.edu
Background:
Suicidal young adults often confide their distress to peers. It is unclear, however, what types of assistance a friend may offer in response to various symptoms of distress as well as whether the sex of either individual affects responses.
Aims:
We examined open-ended responses to e-mail vignettes from a fictitious friend exhibiting depressed, irritable, or overtly suicidal communications.
Method:
College student participants (n = 106) read e-mail messages from a fictitious friend, to which they composed a reply. Replies were coded to reflect the presence/absence of mention of professional help, problem-oriented (personal) help, and social support.
Results:
Problem-oriented help was offered the most across conditions; professional help was offered least in response to depressed or irritable vignettes. Women were more likely to offer any type of help than men. Patterns of help-giving and sex differences in help-giving varied by condition.
Conclusions:
Results indicate students' preferences for solving peer problems personally rather than professionally. Campus prevention and intervention efforts should focus on enhancing students' peer support and referral skills.
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