Suicide Prevention in Prepubertal Children

New York State Psychiatric Institute

Status: Withdrawn

Conditions: Suicide, Attempted; Suicidal Ideation

Treatments: Behavioral: Child- Safety Plan Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04171089

7838

Details and patient eligibility

About

Suicidal ideation and behaviors are estimated to be as high as 4-16% and 1.5% (respectively) in the general 6-12-year-old population. However, there are currently no validated suicide prevention interventions specifically developed for this population.

This study aims to: (1) test the feasibility and acceptability of the Safety Planning Intervention for prepubertal Children (C-SPI) in 30 children (ages 6-12) who have made a suicide threat, suicidal behavior or reported suicidal ideation, and their parents, and (2) improve the investigator's understanding of suicidal ideation and behaviors in this age group. The results from the current project will be used to further develop the C-SPI, and to develop preliminary guidance and associated policy for clinicians to use.

Full description

The Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) is a brief, protocol-driven and individually tailored tool that uses evidence-based practices for suicide prevention. The SPI aims to provide the individual with quick distraction and coping tools to overcome a suicidal crisis without acting upon the suicidal thoughts. The SPI was used in the Treatment for Adolescents Suicide Attempters study in youth 12-19 and has been found to be feasible and acceptable among adult patients and staff as well as among clinicians who work with adolescents. Its effectiveness in reducing suicide risk among veterans has also been confirmed. The SPI could be a good fit for children, as it uses concrete ways for the person to recognize their reaction, as well as concrete methods to cope with distress, which fits with the developmental stage of prepubertal children. Moreover, the collaborative way in which the personal safety plan is tailored to the suicidal person will allow the engagement of the child in the intervention. The SPI is an intervention that is relatively easy to administer and, therefore, if found to be appropriate for this age group, it could be implemented in different child-focused settings, including schools. The aim of the study is to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of the Safety Planning Intervention for prepubertal Children's (C-SPI) among suicidal children and their parents. Additionally, children will be interviewed and be assessed for impulsivity, attention bias, irritability and coping skills.

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 13 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Suicidal thoughts or threats in the last six month or suicidal behavior in lifetime
• The child and his parent/guardian are English speakers
• Having a parent /guardian consent to the child participating in this study
• The clinician confirmed that the parents are suitable to take part in the intervention

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosis of a psychotic disorder
• Intellectual disability

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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0 participants in 1 patient group

Child-Safety Plan Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

A Child Safety Plan to prevent suicidal behavior will be developed with the children and their parents. The parents and child will complete feasibility and acceptability questionnaires.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Child- Safety Plan Intervention