Group Interventions for Abused, Suicidal Black Women
Emory University
Summary
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of culturally competent psychoeducational empowerment sessions in treating suicidal African-American women who are in abusive relationships.
Description
Most suicide attempts are a sign of great distress, often originating from depression; physical and sexual abuse; substance abuse; or family history of suicide, violence, or mental disorder. Risk factors for suicidal behavior are diverse, differing with gender, age, and ethnicity. Since the mid-1980s, the number of reported suicides and suicidal thoughts among young black individuals has increased alarmingly. The higher rates may be caused by high stress living situations attributed to poverty, abuse, discrimination, racism, and difficult family life. Therefore, cultural environments, social s…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–64 years
- Sex
- Female
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Identifies as an African-American female * Abusive relationship within the 12 months prior to study entry * Suicide attempt within the 12 months prior to study entry * Seeks services at Grady Health System Exclusion Criteria: * Score of less than 22 on Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) * Score of less than 18 on Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) * Acutely psychotic
Interventions
- BehavioralPsychoeducational intervention (PEI)
PEI consists of 10 culturally competent group empowerment psychoeducational sessions. The sessions are directed by a treatment manual and are co-led by two therapists. The sessions are guided by the theory of triadic influence (TTI) model, which incorporates cultural-environmental influences, social-situational influences, and intrapersonal influences into treatment.
- BehavioralEnhanced treatment as usual (ETAU)
ETAU contains an adherence protocol plus access to weekly support group and a resource room.
Location
- Grady HospitalAtlanta, Georgia