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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2021 Oct;57(7):1310-1317.
doi: 10.1007/s10597-021-00850-5. Epub 2021 May 29.

Predictors of Treatment Engagement Among Suicidal Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Laura Walsh  1 , Ellison Luthy  2 , Xin Feng  2 , Tansel Yilmazer  2 , Jodi Ford  3 , Kelly Kelleher  4 , Laura Chavez  4 , Natasha Slesnick  2
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Predictors of Treatment Engagement Among Suicidal Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Laura Walsh et al. Community Ment Health J. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Homeless youth experience high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, yet limited research has examined predictors of treatment engagement among this population. Suicidal homeless youth (N = 150) between the ages of 18 and 24 years were recruited from a drop-in center in Columbus, Ohio. Participants were randomly assigned to Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention + treatment as usual through a local drop-in center (CTSP + TAU) (N = 75) or TAU alone (N = 75), and treatment attendance among those assigned to CTSP + TAU was examined in this study. As expected, among youth engaged in CTSP + TAU, those with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) showed decreased odds of treatment attendance. Additionally, youth randomized into CTSP + TAU with higher acquired capability for suicide (ACS) scores and those identifying as Black were more likely to attend treatment sessions. Findings suggest that effective treatment implementation must consider youth's trauma history, demographics and severity of suicidal ideation and behaviors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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