Differences Between Suicide Attempters and Suicide Ideators. Influence of the Brief Therapy Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) on Neuropsychological Correlates and Psychological Process Factors - Project 3

NCT06322199 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2021-02504 (Project 3)
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 119
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 4

Brief Summary

The present study consists of 3 projects in total. It aims to investigate the (neuro-) psychological patterns from suicidal ideation to suicidal behavior as well as the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of ASSIP flex. The overall aim of Project 3 is to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of ASSIP flex over a 12-month follow-up period in terms of suicide reattempts and suicide correlates in a cohort who is attending ASSIP flex after a suicide attempt.

Conditions

Suicide, Attempted; Suicidal Ideation; Feasibility; Cost-effectiveness; Process Factors

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Suicidal ideation (Baseline, t0)

  The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI) is a clinical assessment tool designed to measure the severity of suicidal ideation in individuals. It is used in clinical and research settings to assess the risk of suicide. The BSI consists of 19 items, and each item is scored on a 3-point scale (0 to 2). The total score, which ranges from 0 to 38, reflects the severity of suicidal ideation. The minimum score is 0, indicating no suicidal ideation and the maximum score is 38, indicating the highest level of suicidal ideation. Higher scores indicate a greater severity of suicidal ideation, and thus, higher scores are generally associated with a worse outcome.

  One week before the first ASSIP flex session.

• Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior (Baseline, t0)

  The Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Scale (SSEV) is a German 9-item self-report instrument. Items 1-7 assess the frequency of suicidal ideation, suicidal intention, suicidal impulses, and suicide plan (0 = never to 5 = many times every day). A total value is calculated using items 1-7, where a value of 0-30 can result. Additionally, suicide attempts during the past four weeks and the occurrence of lifetime suicide attempts are assessed with a dichotomous response format (yes/ no) and it is asked about the frequency of lifetime suicide attempts. Higher scores indicate a more severe level of suicidal ideation, which is generally associated with a worse outcome.

  One week before the first ASSIP flex session.

• Suicidal ideation (Follow-up, t1)

  The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI) is a clinical assessment tool designed to measure the severity of suicidal ideation in individuals. It is used in clinical and research settings to assess the risk of suicide. The BSI consists of 19 items, and each item is scored on a 3-point scale (0 to 2). The total score, which ranges from 0 to 38, reflects the severity of suicidal ideation. The minimum score is 0, indicating no suicidal ideation and the maximum score is 38, indicating the highest level of suicidal ideation. Higher scores indicate a greater severity of suicidal ideation, and thus, higher scores are generally associated with a worse outcome.

  After the three ASSIP flex sessions are completed, up to 4-6 weeks.

• Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior (Follow-up, t1)

  The Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Scale (SSEV) is a German 9-item self-report instrument. Items 1-7 assess the frequency of suicidal ideation, suicidal intention, suicidal impulses, and suicide plan (0 = never to 5 = many times every day). A total value is calculated using items 1-7, where a value of 0-30 can result. Additionally, suicide attempts during the past four weeks and the occurrence of lifetime suicide attempts are assessed with a dichotomous response format (yes/ no) and it is asked about the frequency of lifetime suicide attempts. Higher scores indicate a more severe level of suicidal ideation, which is generally associated with a worse outcome.

  After the three ASSIP flex sessions are completed, up to 4-6 weeks.

• Suicidal ideation (Follow-up, t2)

  The Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSI) is a clinical assessment tool designed to measure the severity of suicidal ideation in individuals. It is used in clinical and research settings to assess the risk of suicide. The BSI consists of 19 items, and each item is scored on a 3-point scale (0 to 2). The total score, which ranges from 0 to 38, reflects the severity of suicidal ideation. The minimum score is 0, indicating no suicidal ideation and the maximum score is 38, indicating the highest level of suicidal ideation. Higher scores indicate a greater severity of suicidal ideation, and thus, higher scores are generally associated with a worse outcome.

  12 months after the baseline assessment.

• Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior (Follow-up, t2)

  The Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Scale (SSEV) is a German 9-item self-report instrument. Items 1-7 assess the frequency of suicidal ideation, suicidal intention, suicidal impulses, and suicide plan (0 = never to 5 = many times every day). A total value is calculated using items 1-7, where a value of 0-30 can result. Additionally, suicide attempts during the past four weeks and the occurrence of lifetime suicide attempts are assessed with a dichotomous response format (yes/ no) and it is asked about the frequency of lifetime suicide attempts. Higher scores indicate a more severe level of suicidal ideation, which is generally associated with a worse outcome.

  12 months after the baseline assessment.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Treatment costs of treatments 1

  t0) Before the first ASSIP flex session, 1 week after informed consent procedure; t1) After the intervention, 4-6 weeks after t0; t2) up to 12 months after t0

Other Outcomes (8)

• Sociodemographic data

  t0) Before the first ASSIP flex session, 1 week after informed consent procedure; t1) After the intervention, 4-6 weeks after t0; t2) 12 months after t0

• Depressive symptoms

  t0) Before the first ASSIP flex session, 1 week after informed consent procedure; t1) After the intervention, 4-6 weeks after t0; t2) 12 months after t0

• General sense of self-efficacy

  t0) Before the first ASSIP flex session, 1 week after informed consent procedure; t1) After the intervention, 4-6 weeks after t0; t2) 12 months after t0

Interventions

ASSIP (Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program) flex BEHAVIORAL

ASSIP is a specific therapy for patients after a suicide attempt. The brief therapy ASSIP consists of 3-4 sessions of approximately 50 min. each. ASSIP flex delivers ASSIP in the patient's personal environment as an outreach home treatment. The structure of the ASSIP is the same as in the regular ASSIP, but the program is delivered in the patient's environment. Session 1: A narrative interview is conducted, in which the patient is asked to tell her personal story, which led to the suicidal crisis. The narrative is video-recorded. Session 2: Using video playback of the recorded narrative, patient and therapist explore further details of the suicidal process. Session 3: A case conceptualization focusing on the patient's vulnerability and the trigger of the suicidal crisis is formulated in writing. A list of safety strategies for the prevention of future suicidal behavior is developed jointly with the patient. Regular letters are sent to patients over a period of 2 years.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants with a past suicide attempt will be recruited at the University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern (Switzerland) and following recruitment centers: * Sanatorium Kilchberg Private Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy * Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUKZH) * Vaud University Hospital (CHUV) in Lausanne * Department of General and Liaison Psychiatry CNP in Neuchâtel

You may qualify if:

• Informed consent as documented by signature
• Age ≥ 18 years
• At least one previous suicide attempt
• Willingness to attend the ASSIP Flex

You may not qualify if:

• Serious cognitive impairment
• Any psychotic disorder
• Inability to follow the procedures of the study (e.g., insufficient mastery of the German language, previous enrolment into the current study)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Bern: lead

Study Sites (4)

Centre Hospitalier universitaire vaudois (CHUV)

Lausanne, Switzerland

Location

Center Neuchâtelois de Psychiatrie

Neuchâtel, Switzerland

Location

Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich (PUKZH)

Zurich, Switzerland

Location

Sanatorium Kilchberg

Zurich, Switzerland

Location

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Suicide, Attempted; Suicidal Ideation

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Anja C. Gysin-Maillart, PD

  Univerisity of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translational Research Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Adriana O. Frei, MSc

  University of Bern, University Hospital of Psychiatry, Translational Research Center

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 12 Months
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 6, 2024
• First Posted: March 20, 2024
• Study Start: September 23, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: January 23, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CH (4)