Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Reducing Suicidal Ideation in Economically Distressed Migrants

NCT07111377 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BSU-RAK-PSYCH - 2025-0008
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy of an 8-session, culturally adapted Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Brief CBT) compared to Treatment as Usual (TAU) in reducing suicidal ideation among economically distressed migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates. Participants (N=120) were randomized to receive Brief CBT or TAU. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, 4-weeks, 8-weeks, and 3-month follow-up.

Conditions

Suicidal Ideation; Depression; Anxiety; Financial Stress

Keywords

Suicidal Ideation; Migrant Workers; Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Financial Stress

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Reduction in Suicidal Ideation Severity (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation; BSS)

  Change in the severity of suicidal ideation as measured by the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS), a 19-item clinician-rated scale that assesses suicidal thoughts, plans, and wishes during the past week. Scores range from 0 to 38, with higher scores indicating greater suicidal ideation severity.

  Baseline, 4 weeks (mid-treatment), 8 weeks (post-treatment), and 3-month follow-up

Study Arms (2)

Brief CBT

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to this arm received an 8-session culturally adapted Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Brief CBT). Sessions addressed crisis stabilization, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving related to financial stressors, behavioral activation, emotion regulation skills, relapse prevention, and linkage to community resources. Sessions were delivered weekly, either individually (60 minutes) or in groups (90 minutes), based on participant preference.

Behavioral: Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

NO INTERVENTION

Participants assigned to this arm received standard community resources and information without structured therapeutic intervention. They were provided with a comprehensive multilingual list of available mental health services, crisis support hotlines, and financial counseling resources accessible in the UAE. Participants were free to access these services independently, without active facilitation or structured guidance by the research team. This arm represents the standard of care typically available to economically distressed migrant workers experiencing mental health difficulties in the region.

Interventions

Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Participants received an 8-session culturally adapted Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy intervention targeting suicidal ideation, psychological distress, and financial stress. Therapy included crisis stabilization, cognitive restructuring of maladaptive thoughts related to economic hardship, behavioral activation, problem-solving skills for financial and psychosocial stressors, and emotion-regulation training. It concluded with relapse prevention planning and connection to supportive community resources. Sessions were delivered weekly, either individually (60 minutes) or in groups (90 minutes), based on participant preference.

Brief CBT

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 to 65 years.
• Migrant worker residing in the UAE with a valid work or residence visa.
• Experiencing significant economic distress (score of ≤40 on the InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale - IFDFW).
• Presence of suicidal ideation, defined as a score ≥1 on the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS).
• Able to communicate effectively in English, Arabic, or Tagalog.
• Willing and able to provide informed written consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Acute psychosis, severe substance dependence, or immediate suicide risk requiring hospitalization.
• Cognitive impairment limiting therapy participation.
• Currently engaged in structured psychotherapy for depression or suicidality.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bath Spa University Academic Centre RAK: lead

Study Sites (1)

Bath Spa University Academic Centre RAK

Dubai, Dubai, 00000, United Arab Emirates

Location

Related Publications (5)

• Bryan CJ, Rudd MD. Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention. New York: The Guilford Press; 2018.

  BACKGROUND

• Prawitz AD, Garman ET, Sorhaindo B, O'Neill B, Kim J, Drentea P. InCharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale: Development, administration, and score interpretation. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning. 2006;17(1):34-50.

  BACKGROUND

• Lovibond SH, Lovibond PF. Manual for the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. 2nd ed. Sydney: Psychology Foundation; 1995.

  BACKGROUND

• Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Sep;16(9):606-13. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x.

  PMID: 11556941 BACKGROUND

• Beck AT, Steer RA, Ranieri WF. Scale for Suicide Ideation: psychometric properties of a self-report version. J Clin Psychol. 1988 Jul;44(4):499-505. doi: 10.1002/1097-4679(198807)44:43.0.co;2-6.

  PMID: 3170753 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Suicidal Ideation; Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Financial Stress

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Mental Disorders; Stress, Psychological

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Outcomes assessors were blinded to group assignments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Program Leader , Department of Psychology, Bath Spa

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to either Brief CBT or Treatment as Usual (TAU).

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 1, 2025
• First Posted: August 8, 2025
• Study Start: January 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 15, 2024
• Study Completion: November 25, 2024
• Last Updated: August 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

AE (1)