title: A CBT-based psychoeducational intervention for suicide survivors: a cluster randomized controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bereavement following suicide is associated with an increased vulnerability for depression, complicated grief, suicidal ideation, and suicide. There is, however, a paucity of studies of the effects of interventions in suicide survivors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study therefore examined the effects of a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based psychoeducational intervention on depression, complicated grief, and suicide risk factors in suicide survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 83 suicide survivors were randomized to the intervention or the control condition in a cluster randomized controlled trial. Primary outcome measures included maladaptive grief reactions, depression, suicidal ideation, and hopelessness. Secondary outcome measures included grief-related cognitions and coping styles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant effect of the intervention on the outcome measures. However, the intensity of symptoms of grief, depressive symptoms, and passive coping styles decreased significantly in the intervention group but not in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CBT-based psychoeducational intervention has no significant effect on the development of complicated grief reactions, depression, and suicide risk factors among suicide survivors. The intervention may, however, serve as supportive counseling for suicide survivors.
authors.affiliation: <location>Institute for International Research on Criminal Policy, Department of Penal Law and Criminology, Ghent University, Belgium</location>
authors.forename: Ciska
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wittouck
authors.affiliation: <location>Unit for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium</location>
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Autreve
authors.affiliation: <location>Unit for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium</location>
authors.forename: Gwendolyn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Portzky
authors.affiliation: <location>Unit for Suicide Research, Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Ghent University, Belgium</location>
authors.forename: Kees
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van Heeringen
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
keywords: CBT; depression; grief; prevention; suicide; survivor