This study sought to comprehensively examine the major factors that may contribute to the formation of satisfaction with a school-based psychological education program conducted as part of crisis response (postvention) following a student suicide, uti...
This study sought to comprehensively examine the major factors that may contribute to the formation of satisfaction with a school-based psychological education program conducted as part of crisis response (postvention) following a student suicide, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. In particular, the study aimed to explore the potential relationship between students' subjective perception of closeness with the deceased student and their satisfaction with the program in an exploratory manner.The specific research process undertaken was as follows.
First, the correlations between psychological variables—such as demographic characteristics, impact of the event, and psychological well-being—and program satisfaction were examined. Second, the study attempted to verify the relative influence of closeness with the deceased student on program satisfaction, as well as the stability of this relationship, via multiple regression analysis. Third, through qualitative research, the study sought to interpret the psychological context underlying the patterns of satisfaction observed in the group with high closeness to the deceased student.
Self-report surveys were administered to 78 middle school students, and the collected quantitative data were analyzed using StataNow 19 MP software (Stata Corp, 2025). The main results are as follows.
First, multiple regression analysis indicated that closeness with the deceased student had a statistically significant negative relationship with program satisfaction( = ‒.772, < 0.01). This suggests the possibility that closeness with the deceased serves as a significant variable predicting lower satisfaction with the psychological education program.
Second, qualitative analysis of the students' subjective responses suggests that while the program contributed to emotional stability and cognitive normalization, its format—similar to existing suicide prevention education—appeared to have limitations in fully meeting the expectations and needs of the students.
These findings cautiously imply that school-based psychological education programs following a student suicide need to be applied with sensitivity to participant characteristics, particularly the degree of closeness with the deceased. Future programs might consider segmenting groups based on participant characteristics. In particular, establishing in-depth grief support and specialized intervention strategies for the high-risk group—those with high closeness to the deceased—is considered likely to be beneficial.