Brief Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adolescent Suicide Attempters and Their Families
Year: 1994
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This article describes a brief, standardized, cognitive-behavioral treatment program for adolescent suicide attempters and their families. METHOD: Successful Negotiation Acting Positively (SNAP) treatment consists of a series of structured activities that create a positive family atmosphere, teach problem-solving skills, shift the family's understanding of their problems to troublesome situations rather than difficult individuals, and build confidence in the treatment professional, thereby reducing conditions associated with future attempts. RESULTS: SNAP treatment has been systematically administered to more than 100 suicidal adolescents and their families as part of an ongoing treatment study. Although these results are not yet available, our initial experience suggests that SNAP treatment can be delivered in a reliable fashion and is well accepted by both patients and therapists. CONCLUSIONS: Although suicidality in youth constitutes a major public health problem, few therapeutic interventions have been developed specifically for suicidal adolescents. SNAP treatment addresses a number of issues critical to successful interventions with this population, including their historically poor treatment compliance, the need for family involvement in treatment, and an emphasis on coping and problem-solving strategies. Moreover, the brief, structured format of SNAP treatment is consistent with the growing trend toward standardized, empirically tested, and cost-efficient interventions.
Institutions: Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,710
OpenAlex ID: W2006499087