Reducing potential risk factors for suicide-related behavior with a group intervention for clients with recurrent suicide-related behavior.
BACKGROUND
This paper reports the results of a pilot study of a 20-week outpatient Psychosocial/Psychoeducational Intervention for Persons with Recurrent Suicide Attempts (PISA) targeting potential risk factors and areas of deficit, including cognitive, affective, and impulsivity known to characterize persons with recurrent suicide-related behavior.


METHODS
One hundred sixty-three persons completed the 20-week intervention. Self-report questionnaires related to psychological deficits and risk factors associated with suicide-related behavior were given to participants before and after the intervention. Descriptive and paired t tests were performed using SPSS 15.


RESULTS
This pilot study demonstrated that a 20-week group intervention led to significant pregroup and postgroup reductions in the risk factors associated with suicide-related behavior. Risk factors included cognitive factors: Beck Hopelessness Scale (P=.006), Satisfaction With Life Scale (P=.001), Problem Solving Inventory (P=.008); affective factors: Beck Depression Inventory (P=.018), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (P=.001); and impulsivity factors: Barratt Impulsivity Scale (P=.034).


CONCLUSIONS
Findings in this pilot study suggest that participants in this short-term intervention report changes in identified risk factors and psychological deficits. These modest changes may be an important first step that facilitates persons at high-risk for suicide to access additional mental health services.
Bergmans
Yvonne
Y
Suicide Studies Unit, Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide Studies, St. Michael's Hospital University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. BERGMANSY@smh.toronto.on.ca
Links
Paul S
PS
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D007174:Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011340:Problem Solving; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires