Alessandra Xavier1, Patricia Otero2, Vanessa Blanco3, Fernando L Vázquez4. 1. Department of Psychology, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil. 2. Department of Psychology, University of A Coruña, Coruña, Spain. 3. Department of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain. 4. Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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.
RCT Entities:
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.
Authors: Katrina G Witt; Sarah E Hetrick; Gowri Rajaram; Philip Hazell; Tatiana L Taylor Salisbury; Ellen Townsend; Keith Hawton Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2021-03-07