Citation

Donaldson D, Spirito A, Esposito-Smythers C. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 2005; 44(2): 113-120.

Affiliation

May Institute, Norwood, MA, and Brown Medical School, Providence, RI, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

15689724

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:: To compare the efficacy of a skills-based treatment protocol to a supportive relationship therapy for adolescents after a suicide attempt. METHOD:: Thirty-nine adolescents (12-17 years old) and parents who presented to a general pediatric emergency department or inpatient unit of a child psychiatric hospital after a suicide attempt were randomized to either a skills-based or a supportive relationship treatment condition. Follow-up assessments were conducted at intake and 3 and 6 months post-attempt. RESULTS:: In contrast to the low rates of treatment received by adolescent suicide attempters in the community, approximately 60% of this sample completed the entire treatment protocol. Significant decreases in suicidal ideation and depressed mood at 3- and 6-month follow-ups were obtained, but there were no differences between treatment groups. There were six reattempts in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS:: When adolescents who attempt suicide are maintained in treatment, significant improvements in functioning can be realized for the majority of patients.