Therapeutic Evaluative Conditioning to Reduce Adolescents' Self-injurious Thoughts and Behaviors During and After Psychiatric Inpatient Hospitalization

Launched by FRANCISCAN HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN, INC. · Mar 22, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new approach to help reduce suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviors in teenagers who are admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Since suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents, especially in the month after they leave the hospital, the researchers want to see if a brief and easy-to-use intervention can make a difference during this critical time. The intervention uses a method called evaluative conditioning, which helps change how young people think about their feelings in a positive way, potentially leading to fewer suicide attempts and self-injurious behaviors.

To participate in this trial, teens aged 12 to 19 who are being treated at the McLean-Franciscan Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program and have a smartphone will be considered. They need permission from a parent or guardian, and the teen must agree to take part. Participants will receive the intervention while they are hospitalized and may continue to be supported after they leave. This trial aims not just to help individuals but to find a solution that could help many young people at risk of suicide in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Be a patient on McLean-Franciscan Child and Adolescent Inpatient Program (MF-CAIP) of Franciscan Children's (FC)
• • Be 12-19 years-old
• • Own a smartphone
• • Have a parent/guardian that can provide permission
• • Child can assent
• • Presentation to the hospital with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Any factor that impairs an individual's ability to comprehend and effectively participate in the study, including
• • an inability to speak or write English fluently
• • the presence of gross cognitive impairment due to florid psychosis, intellectual disability, dementia, acute intoxication, etc., or the presence of extremely agitated or violent behavior
• • a potential discharge location anticipated to be a residential program in which the average length of stay is more than 14 days