Reducing suicide potential among high-risk youth: tests of a school-based prevention program.
This study tested the efficacy of a school-based prevention program for reducing suicide potential among high-risk youth. A sample of 105 youth at suicide risk participated in a three-group, repeated-measures, intervention study. Participants in (1) an assessment plus 1-semester experimental program, (2) an assessment plus 2-semester experimental program, and (3) an assessment-only group were compared, using data from preintervention, 5-month, and 10-month follow-up assessments. All groups showed decreased suicide risk behaviors, depression, hopelessness, stress, and anger; all groups also reported increased self-esteem and network social support. Increased personal control was observed only in the experimental groups, and not in the assessment-only control group. The potential efficacy of the experimental school-based prevention program was demonstrated. The necessary and sufficient strategies for suicide prevention, however, need further study as the assessment-only group, who received limited prevention elements, showed improvements similar to those of the experimental groups.
Eggert
L L
LL
Psychosocial Nursing Department, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Thompson
E A
EA
Herting
J R
JR
Nicholas
L J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092864:Suicide Prevention