Cited by 147Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPsychotherapy Techniques and ApplicationsCounseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics

A randomized controlled trial: attachment-based family and nondirective supportive treatments for youth who are suicidal

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Diamond, Guy S., Kobak, R. Roger, Krauthamer Ewing, E. Stephanie, Levy, Suzanne A., Herres, Joanna L., Russon, Jody M., Gallop, Robert J.·2019·Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) compared with a family-enhanced nondirective supportive therapy (FE-NST) for decreasing adolescents' suicide ideation and depressive symptoms.Method A randomized controlled trial of 129 adolescents who are suicidal ages 12- to 18-years-old (49% were African American) were randomized to ABFT (n = 66) or FE-NST (n = 63) for 16 weeks of treatment. Assessments occurred at baseline and 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Trajectory of change and clinical recovery were calculated for suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms.Results There was no significant between-group difference in the rate of change in self-reported ideation (Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Jr; F 1,127 = 181, p = .18). Similar results were found for depressive symptoms. However, adolescents receiving ABFT showed a significant decrease in suicide ideation (t 127 = 12.61, p < .0001; effect size, d = 2.24). Adolescents receiving FE-NST showed a similar significant decrease (t 127 = 10.88, p < .0001; effect size, d = 1.93). Response rates (ie, ≥50% decrease in suicide ideation symptoms from baseline) at post-treatment were 69.1% for ABFT versus 62.3% for FE-NST.Conclusion Contrary to expectations, ABFT did not perform better than FE-NST. The 2 treatments produced substantial decreases in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms that were comparable to or better than those reported in other more intensive, multicomponent treatments. The equivalent outcomes could be attributed to common treatment elements, different active mechanisms, or regression to the mean. Future studies will explore long-term follow up, secondary outcomes, and potential moderators and mediators.Clinical trial registration information Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Suicidal Adolescents; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01537419.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.10.006

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  • Based on previous trials, the estimated dropout rate is 35%.

    “Based on previous trials [21, 23], we estimate a 35% dropout rate.”

    From The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of attachment-based family therapy for young adults with high suicidal ideation: protocol of a randomized controlled trial (2024) · cites this paper as [23]

    The Results (Treatment Retention; page unavailable) report dropout rates of 18.2% and 17.5%, not 35%. The Discussion repeats those rates and describes them as comparable to similar studies, so this trial does not substantiate a 35% estimate based on previous trials. (LLM, conf=0.84)

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  • Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ABFT for adolescents and young adults at risk for suicide.

    “Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ABFT for adolescents and young adults at risk for suicide [26–28].”

    From Evaluating attachment-based family therapy in residential treatment in the United States: does adolescents' increased attachment security to caregivers lead to decreases in depressive symptoms? (2024) · cites this paper as [27]

    The Introduction says prior studies found ABFT more effective than wait-list control or treatment as usual, supporting the claim for adolescents. This trial studied ages 12–18, not young adults, and its Discussion reports improvement in both treatment groups without showing ABFT was superior to the active comparison treatment. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • Effectiveness studies of ABFT have shown mixed results on suicidal ideation.

    “However, effectiveness studies have shown mixed results on suicidal ideation [21, 23, 28, 29].”
  • Two randomized controlled clinical trials in the United States were conducted with samples in which a large percentage of teens (74% in the first trial and 49% in the second trial) identified as Black/African American.

    “For example, two randomized controlled clinical trials in the United States were conducted with samples in which a large percentage of teens (74% in the first trial and 49% in the second trial) identified as Black/African American (48, 62, 63), a group in the United States that has been historically marginalized and very likely to contend with race/ethnicity-related stress and trauma.”
  • Including ABFT in the treatment of adolescent anxiety may be particularly beneficial for adolescents from historically marginalized communities, as ABFT was originally developed with these populations in mind.

    “Including ABFT in the treatment of adolescent anxiety may be particularly beneficial for adolescents from historically marginalized communities, as ABFT was originally developed with these populations in mind (48–50).”

    From Combining attachment-based family therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to improve outcomes for adolescents with anxiety (2023) · cites this paper as [48]

    The Introduction (page unavailable) says the trial included a racially and ethnically diverse sample, and the Methods report that some participants had an anxiety disorder. But the paper evaluates suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms; the passages found do not say ABFT was originally developed for historically marginalized adolescents or that it is particularly beneficial for their anxiety treatment. Searched for ABFT’s original target population and anxiety outcomes by race or ethnicity. (LLM, conf=0.74)

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Authors
Diamond, G. S., Kobak, R. R., Krauthamer Ewing, E. S., Levy, S. A., Herres, J. L., Russon, J. M., & Gallop, R. J.
Affiliations
  • Drexel University (US)
  • University of Delaware (US)
  • The College of New Jersey (US)
  • Virginia Tech (US)
  • West Chester University (US)
Corresponding author
Diamond, Guy S.
Venue
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-07
Volume
58
Issue
7
Pages
721-731
ISSN
0890-8567 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2898714608
Cited by
147
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 11
FWCI
17.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • VTechWorks (Virginia Tech) (submittedVersion, public-domain)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (5R01MH091059-03)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics
Keywords
attachment-based family therapy, suicidal adolescents, suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, family therapy, treatment efficacy, regression to the mean, African American adolescents
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Child, Depression, Family Therapy, Female, Humans, Male, Object Attachment, Pennsylvania, Suicide, Attempted, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Self Report, Suicidal Ideation

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