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An Enhanced Social Networking Intervention for Young People with Active Suicidal Ideation: Safety, Feasibility and Acceptability Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Eleanor Bailey

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
    Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia)

  • Mario Alvarez-Jimenez

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Jo Robinson

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Simon D’Alfonso

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Maja Nedeljkovic

    (Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia)

  • Christopher G. Davey

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Sarah Bendall

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Tamsyn Gilbertson

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Jessica Phillips

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Lisa Bloom

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Laura Nicholls

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Nicola Garland

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Daniela Cagliarini

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

  • Mark Phelan

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Ben McKechnie

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Jessica Mitchell

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Melanie Cooke

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia)

  • Simon M. Rice

    (Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
    Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia)

Abstract

Online social networking interventions have potential to support young people who experience suicidal thoughts by specifically addressing interpersonal risk factors for suicide, but may also pose a risk of harm. This uncontrolled, single-group pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of an enhanced online social networking intervention (“Affinity”) among a sample of young people who experienced active suicidal ideation, and to explore potential changes in clinical outcomes and the therapeutic targets of the intervention. Twenty young people with current or recent suicidal ideation who were receiving treatment for depression at a tertiary-level mental health service were given access to Affinity for two months. Participants were assessed at baseline and 8-week follow-up; 90 percent reported clinical suicidal ideation at baseline. A priori criteria related to feasibility, safety and acceptability were satisfied. In terms of potential clinical effects, significant and reliable pre-post improvements were found on self-report outcomes including suicidal ideation. This study provides initial world-first evidence to support the use of an online intervention incorporating social networking as an adjunct to treatment for young people who experience suicidal ideation. The effectiveness of Affinity needs to be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.

Suggested Citation

  • Eleanor Bailey & Mario Alvarez-Jimenez & Jo Robinson & Simon D’Alfonso & Maja Nedeljkovic & Christopher G. Davey & Sarah Bendall & Tamsyn Gilbertson & Jessica Phillips & Lisa Bloom & Laura Nicholls & , 2020. "An Enhanced Social Networking Intervention for Young People with Active Suicidal Ideation: Safety, Feasibility and Acceptability Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2435-:d:340935
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zimmerman, Gregory M. & Rees, Carter & Posick, Chad & Zimmerman, Lori A., 2016. "The power of (Mis)perception: Rethinking suicide contagion in youth friendship networks," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 31-38.
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