Targeting Emotion Dysregulation to Reduce Suicide in People With Psychosis

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of Maryland, Baltimore

About this trial

People with psychotic disorders are excluded from most suicide-focused clinical trials despite incredibly high rates of completed suicide, and interventions that have been tested for this population have shown limited impact on suicide. Emotion dysregulation is a significant suicidogenic factor that is understudied in people with psychotic disorders. The investigators propose to implement and evaluate an intervention targeting emotion dysregulation in people with psychotic disorders while employing rigorous statistical modeling and measurement techniques including Ecological Momentary Assessment, which will support future advanced research on suicide and suicide prevention for this high-risk group.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

At least 18 years old

Psychosis spectrum disorder as assessed by the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) for Psychotic Disorder Studies

Heightened suicide risk as determined by a score of 8+ on the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). This cutoff may be revised downwards (toward lower suicide risk) if recruitment appears difficult, but will not be revised upwards.

Enrollment and engagement in outpatient mental health services with at least one mental health service in the previous month

Disqualifiers

Chart diagnosis of intellectual disability (DSM5 317, 318), traumatic brain injury, or deafness.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training

    Behavioral

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training (DBT-ST) is a group-based intervention focused on teaching skills for improving emotion regulation. The sessions will be offered in-person or via approved telehealth services.

Treatment groups

68 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groups
Group A: Dialectical Behavior Therapy - Skill TrainingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Treatment As UsualNo intervention 0 interventions

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Suicidal Ideation

Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. Minimum score: 0. Maximum score: 42. Higher scores are worse.

Time frame
Four months
2

Emotion Dysregulation

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-36). Minimum score: 36. Maximum score: 180. Higher scores are worse.

Time frame
Four months

Secondary outcomes

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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