title: Suicide Ideation Is Related to Therapeutic Alliance in a Brief Therapy for Attempted Suicide.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of therapeutic alliance on suicide ideation as outcome measure in a brief therapy for patients who attempted suicide. Sixty patients received the 3-session therapy supplemented by follow-up contact through regular letters. Therapeutic alliance was measured with the Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ). Outcome at 6 and 12 months was measured with the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS). Therapeutic alliance increased from session 1 to session 3. Higher alliance measures correlated with lower suicidal ideation at 12 months follow-up. A history of previous attempts and depression had a negative affect on therapeutic alliance. The results suggest that in the treatment of suicidal patients therapeutic alliance may be a moderating factor for reducing suicide ideation.
authors.forename: Anja C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Gysin-Maillart
authors.forename: Leila M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Soravia
authors.forename: Armin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gemperli
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: attempted suicide; suicidal ideation; therapeutic alliance; treatment engagement