Reduction in Suicidal Ideation from Prolonged Exposure Therapy for Adolescents. Issue 5 (2nd September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Lily A.; Belli, Gina; Suzuki, Noah; Capaldi, Sandy; Foa, Edna B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical child and adolescent psychology. Volume 49:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 651
• Page End: 659
• Publication Date: 2020-09-02
• Subjects: Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychology -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychiatry -- Periodicals; Adolescent Psychology -- Periodicals; Child Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychology, Clinical -- Periodicals; Adolescent psychiatry; Adolescent psychology; Child psychiatry; Child psychology; Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2019.1614003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1537-4416

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at higher risk for suicide compared to adolescents without PTSD. This study aimed to explore whether PTSD treatment reduces suicidal ideation in adolescents and whether the degree of reduction in PTSD was associated with reduction in suicidal ideation. Methods: Adolescent females with PTSD from a sexual assault (55% Black, 15.3 years, SD = 1.5) were randomized to either prolonged exposure therapy for adolescents (PE-A, n = 31) or client-centered therapy (CCT, n = 30). They reported on suicidal ideation, depression and PTSD at pre- and post-treatment, every therapy session, and follow-up, and about 40% endorsed suicidal ideation at baseline. Results: There was a significant reduction in a single-item measure of suicidal ideation during treatment across all participants. The Time in Treatment × Condition interaction was significant ( p < .05, d = 0.52), indicating a significantly steeper reduction in suicidal ideation in PE-A compared to in CCT. The degree of reduction in PTSD ( p s < .05, d = 0.26–0.54) and depression symptoms ( p s < .05, d = 0.54–0.81) in treatment and follow-up was associated with the speed of suicidal ideation reduction in treatment and follow-up. Conclusions: Adolescents randomized to PE-A had significantly faster reductions in suicidal ideation compared to those randomized to CCT. Greater reduction in PTSD and depression symptoms were associated with faster reduction in suicidal ideation. Clinically, this study demonstrates that adolescents who have suicidal ideation without current intent may benefit from PE-A.