Citation

Xavier A, Otero P, Blanco V, Vázquez FL. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2019; 49(6): 1746-1761.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/sltb.12568

PMID

31237377

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a problem-solving intervention for the prevention of suicidal risk in Brazilian adolescents with elevated suicidal potential and depressive symptoms.
METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 100 participants (mean age 17.2 years, 60% women, 46% mixed race), allocated to the problem-solving intervention (n = 50) or the usual care control group (n = 50). Blinded interviewers conducted assessments at pretreatment, posttreatment, 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. The main outcome was suicidal orientation; secondary outcomes were suicidal risk, suicidal plans and attempts, depressive symptoms, and problem-solving skills.
RESULTS: At posttreatment and up to 6-month follow-up, there was lower suicidal orientation and suicidal risk in the problem-solving group compared to the control group. There were lower suicidal plans and attempts (0.0% participants vs 2.2% with a suicide plan and 2.2% with both suicide plan and attempt); risk difference was 0.04 (95% CI: 0.01-0.09) and the number needed to treat was 25 (95% CI: 11-70). Significant effects of the intervention on depressive symptoms were found at posttreatment and maintained for 6 months. The change in global and functional problem-solving skills mediated the reduction in suicide orientation.
CONCLUSIONS: Thus, suicidal risk can be successfully prevented in adolescents.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Female; Male; Adolescent; adolescents; Depression; Suicide; Risk Assessment; Adolescent Behavior; Treatment Outcome; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide Prevention; Adaptation, Psychological; Interview, Psychological; Problem Solving; Psychological Techniques; indicated prevention; Preventive Psychiatry; problem-solving intervention