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Suicidal Ideation among Adolescents with Alcohol Use Disorders during Treatment and Aftercare
Author(s) -
Kaminer Yifrah,
Burleson Joseph A.,
Goldston David B.,
Burke Rebecca H.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1080/10550490601006154
Subject(s) - suicidal ideation , psychiatry , outpatient clinic , medicine , clinical psychology , suicide prevention , intervention (counseling) , suicide attempt , poison control , injury prevention , psychology , medical emergency
The objectives of this study are to assess the magnitude and course of suicidal ideation during outpatient treatment and aftercare for adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUD). One hundred seventy‐seven adolescents meeting eligibility criteria, including no past 30‐day suicidal behavior, participated in 9 weeks of outpatient cognitive‐behavioral group therapy. Treatment completers were randomized into: (1) No‐Active, (2) In‐Person, or (3) Telephone aftercare conditions for a period of 12 weeks. No specific intervention for suicidal behavior was provided during the study. The Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ‐JR, Reynolds, 1988) was administered at baseline, end of treatment, and end of aftercare. The results are as follows, a higher baseline suicidal ideation was associated with higher retention at the end of treatment and through aftercare. The In‐Person Aftercare condition showed a significant decrease in suicidal ideation, relative to the No‐Active Aftercare condition. There was a trend for similarly reduced severity of suicidal ideation in the Telephone Aftercare condition. In conclusion, the type of aftercare and resulting decrease in AUD may play a role in the reduction in suicidal ideation. The mechanism of change by which suicidal ideation is reduced in adolescents in treatment for AUD needs to be further explored.