A Text-Based Expressive Writing Program for Adolescents at Risk of Suicide
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age13-24
SponsorHallym University Medical Center
About this trial
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a structured expressive writing program can help reduce suicidal thoughts in adolescents and young adults who have experienced suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or self-harm. The study will include participants aged 13 to 24 years who are receiving mental health care or have recently been identified as being at risk for suicide.
The main questions the study aims to answer are:
* Does a structured expressive writing program lower suicidal thoughts compared with usual care alone? * Does the program improve depression, impulsivity, and self-esteem?
Researchers will compare participants who receive the expressive writing program together with treatment as usual to participants who receive treatment as usual alone.
Participants will:
* Be randomly assigned to one of two groups: a writing program group or a usual care group * Complete questionnaires about mood, suicidal thoughts, and well-being at the start of the study, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks * If assigned to the writing program group, complete guided writing activities several times per week for 4 weeks. Each writing session will take about 15 to 20 minutes and will focus on understanding emotions, personal experiences, relationships, and meaning in difficult experiences.
Researchers will study whether this writing program is a helpful and practical way to support young people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adolescents or young adults aged 13 to 24 years.
Individuals with a history of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, or non-suicidal self-injury.
Individuals currently receiving mental health services or who have been evaluated as having suicide risk within the past 6 months.
Ability to read and write in Korean.
Disqualifiers
Individuals requiring immediate psychiatric hospitalization.
Severe intellectual disability or neurodevelopmental disorder that prevents participation in writing activities.
Acute psychosis or manic episode that would interfere with participation in the study.
Participation in another suicide prevention clinical trial during the study period.
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Structured Expressive Writing Intervention
BehavioralA structured expressive writing program in which participants complete guided writing sessions several times per week for four weeks. Each session lasts approximately 15 to 20 minutes and focuses on emotional awareness and personal reflection.
Treatment as Usual (TAU)
BehavioralParticipants receive the standard mental health care or support services that are normally available during the study period.
Treatment groups
160 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Expressive Writing Intervention plus Treatment as UsualExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Treatment as UsualActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation will be measured using the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSSI). The outcome measure is the change in BSSI score between baseline and follow-up assessments.
Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeksSecondary outcomes
1
Change in Depressive Symptoms
Depressive symptoms will be measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The outcome measure is the change in BDI score between baseline and follow-up assessments.
Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks2
Change in Impulsivity
Impulsivity will be measured using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). The outcome measure is the change in BIS-11 score between baseline and follow-up assessments.
Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks3
Change in Self-Esteem
Self-esteem will be measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The outcome measure is the change in self-esteem score between baseline and follow-up assessments.
Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks4
Change in Alexithymia
Alexithymia will be assessed using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). The outcome measure is the change in TAS-20 score between baseline and follow-up assessments.
Time frame
Baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeksLocations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
This trial is not recruiting at the moment. You can still explore other options: