New Study Shows Psychotherapies Prove Successful In Reducing Suicide and Self-Injury Attempts In Youths

A study opens in new tab/window in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP) opens in new tab/window, published by Elsevier, found that a high percentage of youth will experience periods of remission and recovery of suicide attempts during and after treatment with dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Rates of remission and recovery were higher for DBT than supportive therapy. These findings support DBT as a first line treatment for suicide prevention in youth.

The study analyzed data from 173 teens who were randomly assigned to receive 6 months of DBT or supportive therapy. Youth were followed for an additional 6 months after completing treatment. Suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury were measured every three months during treatment and follow-up.

The study demonstrated promising outcomes with over 70% of the youth reporting remission of suicide attempts at each treatment and follow up interval. DBT yielded significantly higher rates of remission than supportive therapy, with 83% of youth who received DBT reporting remission at 3-6 months and 86% at 9-12 months, as compared to 62% and 66% for supportive therapy. DBT recovery rates (remission across two or more 3-month intervals) were lower than remission rates (ranging from 58% to 74%), with lower rates for longer time periods. Percentages of remission and recovery for non-suicidal self-injury were lower than those for suicide attempts, across both types of treatment.

Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death for 10–14-year-olds and the 3^rd leading cause of death for 15–24-year-olds in the United States. Effective treatment approaches are urgently needed. Results suggest that DBT may reduce suicide risk in a high percentage of youth by leading to periods of remission of suicide attempts. Additional research is needed to increase the percentage of youth with sustained remission of suicide attempts over time, as well as to increase percentages of remission of non-suicidal self-injury.

Study author, Dr Michele Berk, associate professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at Stanford University says, “remission rates are commonly provided to patients and families for other life-threatening illnesses, but little is known about remission rates in response to suicide-focused treatments. This study provides patients and families with critical information needed to make decisions about treatment options.”

She adds, “Increasing the availability DBT is an important goal for youth suicide prevention.”

Notes for editors

The article is "Remission, Recovery, Relapse, and Recurrence Rates for Suicide Attempts and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury for Suicidal Youth Treated With Dialectical Behavior Therapy or Supportive Therapy," by Michele S. Berk, PhD, Robert Gallop, PhD, Joan R. Asarnow, PhD, Molly C. Adrian, PhD, Jennifer L. Hughes, PhD, MPH, Elizabeth McCauley, PhD(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2024.01.012). It appears in Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, volume 63, issue 9(September 2024), published by Elsevier opens in new tab/window.

Copies of this paper are available to credentialed journalists upon request; please contact Michele S. Berk PhDat [email protected].

About JAACAP

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry opens in new tab/window (JAACAP) is the official publication of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. JAACAP is the leading journal focusing exclusively on today's psychiatric research and treatment of the child and adolescent. Published twelve times per year, each issue is committed to its mission of advancing the science of pediatric mental health and promoting the care of youth and their families.

The Journal's purpose is to advance research, clinical practice, and theory in child and adolescent psychiatry. It is interested in manuscripts from diverse viewpoints, including genetic, epidemiological, neurobiological, cognitive, behavioral, psychodynamic, social, cultural, and economic. Studies of diagnostic reliability and validity, psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological treatment efficacy, and mental health services effectiveness are encouraged. The Journal also seeks to promote the well-being of children and families by publishing scholarly papers on such subjects as health policy, legislation, advocacy, culture and society, and service provision as they pertain to the mental health of children and families.

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