The study found those exposed to a suicide attempt were significantly more likely to attempt suicide themselves in the two years following exposure. They were also more likely to develop more severe symptoms of depression. Both these findings confirmed existing research.

When researchers controlled for depressive symptoms, participants’ still had a higher risk of attempting suicide. This confirms and adds to past research which has being exposed to suicide increases suicide risk, independently of mental health factors.

Interestingly, having larger sized in-person networks appeared to protect young people against developing severe depression after being exposed to a suicide attempt. But larger online social networks had the opposite effect.