Effectiveness of an outpatient intervention targeting suicidal young adults: Preliminary results.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a time-limited, outpatient intervention targeting suicidal young adults. Participants (N = 264) were randomly assigned to either the experimental treatment or the control condition (i.e., treatment as usual). In addition to intake assessments, participants completed follow-ups at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Both treatment and control participants evidenced significant improvement across all outcome measures throughout the follow-up period. Reductions were reported in suicidal ideation and behavior, associated symptomatology, and experienced stress, along with marked improvement in self-appraised problem-solving ability. Results also indicated that the experimental treatment was more effective than treatment as usual at retaining the highest risk participants. Available data demonstrate the efficacy of a time-limited, outpatient intervention for suicidal young adults. Implications of current findings for intervention with and treatment of this population are discussed.

Cites (7)

1. The measurement of pessimism: the hopelessness scale
   Beck, Aaron T., Weissman, Arlene, Lester, David, Trexler, Larry · 1974 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
2. Assessment of suicidal intention: The Scale for Suicide Ideation.
   Beck, Aaron T., Kovacs, Maria, Weissman, Arlene · 1979 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
3. Assessing the impact of life changes: Development of the Life Experiences Survey.
   Sarason, Irwin G., Johnson, James H., Siegel, Judith M. · 1978 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
4. Cognitive-behavioral treatment of chronically parasuicidal borderline patients
   Linehan, Marsha M. · 1991 · Archives of General Psychiatry
5. The development and implications of a personal problem-solving inventory.
   Heppner, P. Paul, Petersen, Chris H. · 1982 · Journal of Counseling Psychology
6. Efficacy of applied relaxation and cognitive-behavioral therapy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder
   Borkovec, T. D., Costello, Ellen · 1993 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
7. Problem-solving skills in suicidal psychiatric patients.
   Schotte, David E., Clum, George A. · 1987 · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

Show all 7 references

Cited by (27)

1. Young People’s Help-Seeking for Mental Health Problems
   Rickwood, Debra, Deane, Frank P., Wilson, Coralie J., Ciarrochi, Joseph · 2005 · Australian e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health
2. Screening for Depression in Adults: A Summary of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
   Pignone, Michael P., Gaynes, Bradley N., Rushton, Jerry L., Burchell, Catherine Mills, Orleans, C. Tracy, Mulrow, Cynthia D., Lohr, Kathleen N. · 2002 · Annals of Internal Medicine
3. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Suicide Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
   Tarrier, Nicholas, Taylor, Katherine, Gooding, Patricia · 2008 · Behavior Modification
4. Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors in Youth
   Glenn, Catherine R., Franklin, Joseph C., Nock, Matthew K. · 2015 · Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
5. Excessive Reassurance Seeking: Delineating a Risk Factor Involved in the Development of Depressive Symptoms
   Joiner, Thomas E., Metalsky, Gerald I. · 2001 · Psychological Science

See all 179