Citation

Schuck A, Gryglewicz K, Bender A, Nam E, McNeil M, Cosare M, Rosler M, Karver M. Fam. Relat. 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, National Council on Family Relations (USA), Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/fare.12700

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The present study investigates the effectiveness of a novel, consumer-informed, family training for youth suicide prevention. Background Research suggests family members play a key role in reducing suicide risk for their children. However, family members often do not possess the necessary knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to intervene with a suicidal youth.

METHOD Family members (N = 582) participated in the It's Time to Talk About It: Family Training for Youth Suicide Prevention (ITT-FT) and completed pretest and posttest measures. Additionally, 158 family members completed a 6-month follow-up evaluation.

RESULTS Results indicated significant improvements in knowledge, effective attitudes, perceived behavioral control, social norms, and intentions immediately after the training. Knowledge and perceived behavioral control were sustained at follow-up. Participants identifying as Hispanic/Latinx exhibited greater decreases in stigma related to help-seeking. Those who had a family history of mental health treatment experienced a greater increase in social norms related to other families seeking help.

CONCLUSION Findings underline the importance of implementing a family-focused program aimed at improving training outcomes such as knowledge, confidence, and intentions--key constructs associated with behavior change. Implications Improvement in several domains following the training highlight the critical role family members can play in reducing youth suicide risk.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; at-risk youth; family training; parent education; suicide; suicide prevention