Yovanska Duarté-Vélez1, Judelysse Gomez1, Gisela Jiménez Colón2, Anthony Spirito1. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior (DPHB), Brow University, Box G-BH, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912. 2. Institute for Psychological Research, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, PO Box 23174, San Juan, PR 00931-3174.
Abstract
In 2015, fifteen percent of Puerto Rican adolescents attempted suicide. In general, females have more suicidal thoughts while males are more likely to die by suicide. However, few evidence-based treatments have been developed for this population. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to illustrate the therapeutic process of a male Puerto Rican adolescent treated with the Socio-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicidal Behavior (SCBT-SB), a culturally informed protocol, and to discuss how developmental, feminist, and family system perspectives were incorporated in the SCBT-SB treatment model. METHOD: A case study is presented: Julio received the SCBT-SB after a psychiatric hospitalization subsequent to threating to commit suicide. Baseline and post-treatment assessments evaluated diagnosis, risk factors (e.g. hopelessness), treatment satisfaction, and suicidal behaviors. RESULTS: Julio demonstrated clinically significant change in depressive symptoms, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and aggressive/impulsive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The SCBT-SB was feasible to implement and proved acceptable to the client and his family.
In 2015, fifteen percent of Puerto Rican adolescents attempted suicide. In general, females have more suicidal thoughts while males are more likely to die by suicide. However, few evidence-based treatments have been developed for this population. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to illustrate the therapeutic process of a male Puerto Rican adolescent treated with the Socio-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicidal Behavior (SCBT-SB), a culturally informed protocol, and to discuss how developmental, feminist, and family system perspectives were incorporated in the SCBT-SB treatment model. METHOD: A case study is presented: Julio received the SCBT-SB after a psychiatric hospitalization subsequent to threating to commit suicide. Baseline and post-treatment assessments evaluated diagnosis, risk factors (e.g. hopelessness), treatment satisfaction, and suicidal behaviors. RESULTS: Julio demonstrated clinically significant change in depressive symptoms, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, and aggressive/impulsive behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The SCBT-SB was feasible to implement and proved acceptable to the client and his family.