Testing an Intergenerational Model of Suicide Risk in Mother-child Dyads
University of Pittsburgh
Summary
The investigators are interested in learning more about how the role of mothers' emotions has on the transmission of suicide risk to children. Eligible participants will be invited to participate in a baseline assessment, and 4 follow-up assessments in the next year. This research study is a randomized control trial. Participants that choose to enroll are randomly assigned, that is by chance (like by flipping a coin) to receive DBT Skills Training or treatment as usual (TAU). Participants may also be selected for DBT skills training, it which would occur once a week for 6 months.
Description
Suicide is now the 2nd leading cause of death among children ages 10-14 (CDC, 2022). This proposal responds to this public health crisis by testing an intergenerational mechanistic model of suicide risk in children while simultaneously testing a prevention and intervention approach that could be immediately useful. The investigators focus on children whose mothers have a history of suicidal behavior (intent, planning, attempt) as an especially vulnerable group with increased risk for an early and persistent course of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). Theory and research point to emotion r…
Eligibility
- Age range
- Not specified
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Biological mothers with legal custody of target child between 9-11 * Confirmed lifetime Biological mothers with legal custody of target child between 9-11 * Confirmed lifetime history of suicidal behavior for mothers of suicidal behavior for mothers Exclusion Criteria: * Any mothers and children with major medical illnesses that might be associated with organic personality changes or ER difficulties (e.g. Parkinson's Disease, seizure disorders) * Cardiac nervous system abnormalities that would influence physiological readings * Previous DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therap…
Interventions
- BehavioralDialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group Training
The investigators will employ Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training in order to experimentally manipulate maternal emotion dysregulation, the targeted mechanism.
- BehavioralSafety Planning Intervention
Safety Planning Intervention (SPI) or SPI only for 6 months, such that all mothers with history of suicidal behavior + ER difficulties will receive SPI.
Location
- University of PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania