Developing the Pieta House Suicide Intervention Model: a quasi-experimental, repeated measures design.

Paul Wg Surgenor,Cindy O’Connor,Joan Freeman

doi:10.1186/s40359-015-0071-6

Abstract

BackgroundWhile most crisis intervention models adhere to a generalised theoretical framework, the lack of clarity around how these should be enacted has resulted in a proliferation of models, most of which have little to no empirical support. The primary aim of this research was to propose a suicide intervention model that would resolve the client’s suicidal crisis by decreasing their suicidal ideation and improve their outlook through enhancing a range of protective factors. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of this model on negative and positive outlook.MethodsA quasi-experimental, pre-test post-test repeated measures design was employed. A questionnaire assessing self-esteem, depression, and positive and negative suicidal ideation was administered to the same participants pre- and post- therapy facilitating paired responses.ResultsMultiple analysis of variance and paired-samples t-tests were conducted to establish whether therapy using the PH-SIM had a significant effect on the clients’ negative and positive outlook. Analyses revealed a statistically significant effect of therapy for depression, negative suicidal ideation, self-esteem, and positive suicidal ideation. Negative outlook was significantly lower after therapy and positive outlook significantly higher.ConclusionsThe decreased negative outlook and increased positive outlook following therapy provide some support for the proposed model in fulfilling its role, though additional research is required to establish the precise role of the intervention model in achieving this.

Highlights

While most crisis intervention models adhere to a generalised theoretical framework, the lack of clarity around how these should be enacted has resulted in a proliferation of models, most of which have little to no empirical support
The aim of this paper is to propose an intervention model that will support individuals through their immediate and future suicidal crises, and to ascertain the impact of engaging in this therapy model on levels of negative and positive suicidal outlook
Negative suicide ideation The significant effect for therapy (F (2, 53) = 38.7, p < .01, ηp.2 = .59) suggests that this was a significant predictor of negative suicidal ideation

Summary

Introduction

While most crisis intervention models adhere to a generalised theoretical framework, the lack of clarity around how these should be enacted has resulted in a proliferation of models, most of which have little to no empirical support. The secondary aim was to assess the impact of this model on negative and positive outlook. The aim of this paper is to propose an intervention model that will support individuals through their immediate and future suicidal crises, and to ascertain the impact of engaging in this therapy model on levels of negative and positive suicidal outlook. This research adheres to the definitions of suicide (“a conscious or deliberate act that ends one’s life when an individual is attempting to solve a problem that is perceived as unsolvable by any other means”) and suicidal behaviour (“the spectrum of activities related to suicide including suicidal thinking, self-harming behaviours not aimed at causing death and suicide attempts”) used in the Irish National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention (National Office for Suicide Prevention 2005).

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Discussion

Conclusion