TY - JOUR
T1 - Changes in problem-solving appraisal after cognitive therapy for the prevention of suicide
AU - Ghahramanlou-Holloway, M.
AU - Bhar, S. S.
AU - Brown, G. K.
AU - Olsen, C.
AU - Beck, A. T.
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - Background Cognitive therapy has been found to be effective in decreasing the recurrence of suicide attempts. A theoretical aim of cognitive therapy is to improve problem-solving skills so that suicide no longer remains the only available option. This study examined the differential rate of change in problem-solving appraisal following suicide attempts among individuals who participated in a randomized controlled trial for the prevention of suicide.Method Changes in problem-solving appraisal from pre-to 6-months post-treatment in individuals with a recent suicide attempt, randomized to either cognitive therapy (n=60) or a control condition (n=60), were assessed by using the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, Short Form.Results Improvements in problem-solving appraisal were similarly observed for both groups within the 6-month follow-up. However, during this period, individuals assigned to the cognitive therapy condition demonstrated a significantly faster rate of improvement in negative problem orientation and impulsivity/ carelessness. More specifically, individuals receiving cognitive therapy were significantly less likely to report a negative view toward life problems and impulsive/carelessness problem-solving style.Conclusions Cognitive therapy for the prevention of suicide provides rapid changes within 6 months on negative problem orientation and impulsivity/carelessness problem-solving style. Given that individuals are at the greatest risk for suicide within 6 months of their last suicide attempt, the current study demonstrates that a brief cognitive intervention produces a rapid rate of improvement in two important domains of problem-solving appraisal during this sensitive period.
AB - Background Cognitive therapy has been found to be effective in decreasing the recurrence of suicide attempts. A theoretical aim of cognitive therapy is to improve problem-solving skills so that suicide no longer remains the only available option. This study examined the differential rate of change in problem-solving appraisal following suicide attempts among individuals who participated in a randomized controlled trial for the prevention of suicide.Method Changes in problem-solving appraisal from pre-to 6-months post-treatment in individuals with a recent suicide attempt, randomized to either cognitive therapy (n=60) or a control condition (n=60), were assessed by using the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, Short Form.Results Improvements in problem-solving appraisal were similarly observed for both groups within the 6-month follow-up. However, during this period, individuals assigned to the cognitive therapy condition demonstrated a significantly faster rate of improvement in negative problem orientation and impulsivity/ carelessness. More specifically, individuals receiving cognitive therapy were significantly less likely to report a negative view toward life problems and impulsive/carelessness problem-solving style.Conclusions Cognitive therapy for the prevention of suicide provides rapid changes within 6 months on negative problem orientation and impulsivity/carelessness problem-solving style. Given that individuals are at the greatest risk for suicide within 6 months of their last suicide attempt, the current study demonstrates that a brief cognitive intervention produces a rapid rate of improvement in two important domains of problem-solving appraisal during this sensitive period.
KW - Attempts
KW - Cognitive therapy
KW - Prevention
KW - Problem solving
KW - Suicide
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84860708757&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S0033291711002169
DO - 10.1017/S0033291711002169
M3 - Article
C2 - 22008384
AN - SCOPUS:84860708757
SN - 0033-2917
VL - 42
SP - 1185
EP - 1193
JO - Psychological Medicine
JF - Psychological Medicine
IS - 6
ER -