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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Oct-Dec;25(4):765-789.
doi: 10.1080/13811118.2020.1749742. Epub 2020 Apr 10.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) Versus Treatment as Usual (TAU) for Suicidal College Students

Jacqueline Pistorello, David A Jobes, Robert Gallop, Scott N Compton, Nadia Samad Locey, Josephine S Au, Samantha K Noose, Joseph C Walloch, Jacquelyn Johnson, Maria Young, Yani Dickens, Patricia Chatham, Tami Jeffcoat
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) Versus Treatment as Usual (TAU) for Suicidal College Students

Jacqueline Pistorello et al. Arch Suicide Res. 2021 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial compared the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Treatment as Usual (TAU) for suicidal college students within a feasibility trial. Sixty-two suicidal college students were randomized to CAMS (n = 33) or TAU (n = 29). We hypothesized that those receiving CAMS would show more improvement in suicide-related measures, and effects would be moderated by borderline personality disorder (BPD), prior suicide attempts, and age. Both treatment groups showed improvements in all outcome variables; CAMS had a significantly higher impact on depression and suicidal ideation when measured weekly during care and was more likely than TAU to decrease hopelessness among students with fewer BPD features, no suicide attempt history, and older age. Conversely, TAU did better for students with BPD features and history of multiple suicide attempts.

Keywords: Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality; college students; counseling center; suicidal ideation; suicidal risk.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT diagram describing the flow of participants through SMART for suicidal college students (Stage 1 only). Diagram was adapted from Pistorello et al., 2017. *Note: CAMS = Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality; TAU = Treatment as Usual
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Depression levels (CCAPS-34 Subscale, ranging from 0–4) between conditions and across time--initial intake (pre), baseline assessment (base), session number (S1…S8), and post-assessment (post).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Suicidal Ideation Question (CCAPS-34, ranging from 0–4) between conditions and across time--initial intake (pre), baseline assessment (base), session number (S1…S8), and post-assessment (post).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Hopelessness Levels (BHS; changes pre to post) by severity of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) features (PAI-BOR) and prior number of suicide attempts (SA).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Clinician-rated severity of suicidal risk (CGI-S; changes pre to post) by severity of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) features (PAI-BOR) and age (1 SD below the mean, mean, and 1 SD above the mean).
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Depression levels (CCAPS-34 Subscale) by number of previous suicide attempts (SA) and age (1 SD below the mean, mean, and 1 SD above the mean).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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