Exploring the use of a fully befriending service as an intervention for suicidal ideation within a uk charitable organisation

: a constructivist grounded theory study

Abstract

Despite the wealth of literature exploring interventions for suicidal ideation, ‘confidential befriending’ as offered within some charitable organisations is severely underrepresented within research. Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2006), the present study aims to develop a theory on the use of confidential befriending as an intervention for suicidal ideation as found within a specific UK-based charitable organisation. The charity in question offers individual, face-to-face befriending support for those who feel that life is no longer worth living, which is provided by trained ‘listening volunteers’. Data was collected from two distinct populations: individual interviews with six ex-service-users and a focus group with six founding volunteers of the charity. The study aimed to investigate how the intervention was constructed and maintained by the volunteers and how it was experienced by those seeking support for suicide, including the process by which the intervention interacted with suicidality as a phenomenon. The categories that emerged from the findings were Normalising Suicidal Ideation; Occupying an Alternative Position; Respecting Autonomy; Creating an alternative Space. A core category of Experiencing emotional co-presence reflects the process by which the intervention functions on a multitude of levels, allowing volunteers to be alongside the visitors in their distress, whilst allowing the participants to reconceptualise suicidality. The concept of confidentiality is also re-examined through its impact on the volunteer relationship, identifying that it functions on a more implicit level than previously considered. The findings are discussed in relation to relevant research literature, as well as in consideration to the field of Counselling Psychology, and relevant recommendations for future practice and policy are considered.

Date of Award	12 Dec 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton
Supervisor	Paul Dickerson (Director of Studies) & George Georgiou (Co-Supervisor)