PREVENTION OF SUICIDAL ACTIVITY USING VIRTUAL REALITY INTERVENTIONS

Abstract

Advancements in technology within the reality–virtuality (RV) continuum offer novel avenues for addressing mental health and psychosocial support, supplementing traditional approaches. Consequently, it is imperative to investigate how these immersive interactions affect potential beneficiaries. Goal. This article is devoted to the analysis of immersive technologies potential, specifically virtual reality (VR), in the context of suicide prevention. Methods. The authors investigate the psychological effects of using VR technologies as a preventive intervention for suicidal behavior. It is organized within the framework of an experimental procedure designed according to Solomon's plan, in which the independent variable (IN) was watching a 360° video in VR glasses, and the dependent variables (DVs) were factors associated with suicidality, namely: emotional affect (positive and negative), hopelessness, and indicators of individual well-being levels. The Questionnaire on Positive and Negative Affects (OPANA), Beck's Hopelessness Scale, and the "Modified BBC Subjective Well-Being Scale (BBC-SWB)" were used to measure these indicators. The experimental hypothesis of our study: watching a 360° video in virtual reality glasses has an effect on parameters associated with suicidality. Results. In this article, we highlight the results of the comparison of the control and experimental groups regarding the impact on the measured psychological effects by analyzing the indicators before and after the use of the intervention through the mediation of immersive technologies. The findings demonstrate statistically significant enhancements in positive affect, psychological, physical, and subjective well-being within the experimental group compared to the control group. Trends toward improvement were also observed in measures of negative affect and relationship well-being, although they did not reach statistically significant levels. The hopelessness score improved in both groups, which may indicate a general ameliorative effect on the participants in such an experimental procedure. Conclusions. Our study reveals that a one-time intervention mediated by immersive technologies, namely viewing a 360° video in VR glasses, contributed to the improvement of measurable psychological effects of indicators associated with suicidality and can potentially be used as a means of preventing suicidal behavior. The experimental hypothesis of our study was confirmed. In the future, a comprehensive study of the obtained results regarding the effect of preliminary testing and expansion of meaningful interpretation of the data is necessary; as well as related studies of the long-term effect, series of interventions, specifics of the context of the video presented in the virtual space and alternative forms of prevention and impact on measurable indicators.