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Suicide Prevention in Prepubertal Children

Not Applicable
Withdrawn
Conditions
Suicide, Attempted
Suicidal Ideation
Interventions
Behavioral: Child- Safety Plan Intervention
Registration Number
NCT04171089
Lead Sponsor
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Brief Summary

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.

Detailed 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.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
WITHDRAWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
Not specified
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

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Child-Safety Plan InterventionChild- Safety Plan InterventionA 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.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Feasibility of the Child-Safety Plan InterventionBaseline

The Patient Satisfaction Survey is a 12-item self-report questionnaire (child and parents versions), half of the items assess the feasibility of the child-safety plan intervention in this age group.

Acceptability of the Child-Safety Plan InterventionBaseline

The Patient Satisfaction Survey is a 12-item self-report questionnaire (child and parents versions), half of the items assess the acceptability of the child-safety plan intervention in this age group.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Child's coping skillsBaseline

Child's coping skills will be assessed using the Children's Response Styles Questionnaire. The Children's Response Styles Questionnaire consists of 25 items, each of which describes a particular response to symptoms of depression. For each item, children are asked to indicate how often they respond in this way when they are feeling sad. The items are grouped into two scales: (1) Ruminative Response subscale; and (2) Distracting Response subscale.

Child's conceptual level of deathBaseline

Child's conceptual level of death will be assessed using the Death interview for children. The Death interview for children is an interview comprised of open-ended questions. It has been widely used to assess children's understanding of death as a biological event.

Child's symptoms of irritabilityBaseline

Child's symptoms of irritability will be assessed using the Affective Reactivity Index (ARI). The ARI is a seven-item scale that is both parent- and child-reported. The ARI asks about symptoms of irritability in the previous 6 months and includes an item assessing impairment due to irritability.

Child's attention biasBaseline

Child's attention bias will be evaluated using the Emotional picture dot prob computer task. The Emotional picture dot prob task is a spatially oriented, motivated attention task that capture the preattentive mechanism that automatically directs attention toward biologically relevant aversive stimuli, providing an indirect index of emotional reactivity.

Child's impulsivityBaseline

Child's impulsivity will be assessed using the "Go/No-go" computer task. The Go/No go is a measure of inhibitory control. An adaptation of the original Go/No go paradigm will be used, adjusted for elementary school children.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

New York State Psychiatric Institute

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

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