Using Information and Communication Technologies to Prevent Suicide in Chile

NCT03514004 | Unknown DMC

• 1 other identifier: ID16I10060
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 400
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

A cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a program based on information and communication technologies (ICT) will be conducted to prevent suicide and strengthen mental health among secondary school students in Chile. The program utilizes a web-based platform and a mobile application to cultivate a virtual community to promote mental health protective factors, such as self-esteem and self-expression, and reduce suicide risk. It is based on the principles of peer-support and inclusivity, and it has been inspired by previous studies in Europe and the US. The trial will take place in six public secondary schools in two cities of Chile: Santiago and Rancagua. Schools will be randomly assigned to either intervention or control conditions. Assessment will be conducted at baseline, 3-month (post intervention), and at 5-months (2 month follow-up).

Conditions

Suicide; Adolescent Behavior

Keywords

Suicide prevention; Information and Communication Technologies; Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial; Latin America

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Okasha Suicidality Questionnaire

  Self-administered instrument exploring suicidal ideation and beliefs about suicide. Previously linked to suicide intent, depression, despair, low-self-esteem, impulsivity, and low social support. Item is sensitive to identifying immediate risk for suicide attempt. 4 items (scale 0-3; scale range= 0-12).

  change from baseline suicidality at 5-month follow up

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Coopersmith Self- Esteem Inventory

  change from baseline self-esteem at 5-month follow up

• Barratt Impulsiveness Scale

  change from baseline impulsiveness at 5-month follow up

• General Self-Efficacy Scale

  change from baseline self-efficacy at 5-month follow up

• Coping Across Situations Questionnaire

  change from baseline coping at 5-month follow up

• Perceived Social Support Scale

  change from baseline perceived social support at 5-month follow up

Study Arms (2)

Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

The ICT-based intervention is known as "Project Clan." Each participant randomized to the intervention group will have access to the web platform and mobile applications of "Project Clan" - a virtual community that seeks to promote adolescent mental health and wellbeing as students interact, express themselves, and resolve concerns, with the support of peers and mental health professionals. During the three-month intervention, participants will have complete anonymity, unless trained psychologists supervising the platform as "community counselors" identify behaviors associated with suicide risk and proceed to follow an established emergency protocol. The counselors will be available to answer community questions and provide support on an individual basis.

Behavioral: ICT-based intervention

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group will also be assigned a username and password to access the website, but they will be met with a user interface that only displays a space to answer the corresponding assessments. In addition to the introductory presentation, they will be given a brochure with information regarding adolescent suicide and wellbeing and tips with regard to seeking help and assisting others. This will include the contact information for a telephone hotline, to ensure they can receive professional help if needed.

Interventions

ICT-based intervention BEHAVIORAL

The ICT-based intervention, known as "Project Clan," includes both a web-platform and a mobile application. Project Clan includes both informational and interactive features, ranging from traditional suicide prevention strategies (e.g., a chat with a psychologist, emergency phone hotline, and tips) that seek to reduce barriers to access quality, useful, and evidence-based information and rapid professional assistance, to components designed to increase interactions between participants and promote a sense of belonging and connection with the other "Clan" members.

Also known as: Project Clan

Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• \- Students who attend participating public high schools in two cities (Santiago and Rancagua) of Chile

You may not qualify if:

• Students having visual or physical impairments that are incompatible with the intervention model
• Student having a prior diagnosis of a mental disorder.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Chile: lead
• Ministry of Health, Chile: collaborator

Related Publications (1)

• Mascayano F, Schilling S, Tapia E, Santander F, Burrone MS, Yang LH, Alvarado R. Using Information and Communication Technologies to Prevent Suicide Among Secondary School Students in Two Regions of Chile: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Psychiatry. 2018 Jun 5;9:236. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00236. eCollection 2018.

  PMID: 29922187 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Suicide; Adolescent Behavior; Suicide Prevention

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 8, 2018
• First Posted: May 2, 2018
• Study Start: May 30, 2018
• Primary Completion: September 30, 2018
• Study Completion: November 1, 2018
• Last Updated: May 8, 2018

Record last verified: 2018-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share