A Randomized Controlled Trial: Attachment-Based Family and Nondirective Supportive Treatments for Youth Who Are Suicidal.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) compared with a family-enhanced nondirective supportive therapy (FE-NST) for decreasing adolescents' suicide ideation and depressive symptoms. METHOD: A randomized controlled trial of 129 adolescents who are suicidal ages 12- to 18-years-old (49% were African American) were randomized to ABFT (n = 66) or FE-NST (n = 63) for 16 weeks of treatment. Assessments occurred at baseline and 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Trajectory of change and clinical recovery were calculated for suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: There was no significant between-group difference in the rate of change in self-reported ideation (Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Jr; F1,127 = 181, p = .18). Similar results were found for depressive symptoms. However, adolescents receiving ABFT showed a significant decrease in suicide ideation (t127 = 12.61, p < .0001; effect size, d = 2.24). Adolescents receiving FE-NST showed a similar significant decrease (t127 = 10.88, p < .0001; effect size, d = 1.93). Response rates (ie, ≥50% decrease in suicide ideation symptoms from baseline) at post-treatment were 69.1% for ABFT versus 62.3% for FE-NST. CONCLUSION: Contrary to expectations, ABFT did not perform better than FE-NST. The 2 treatments produced substantial decreases in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms that were comparable to or better than those reported in other more intensive, multicomponent treatments. The equivalent outcomes could be attributed to common treatment elements, different active mechanisms, or regression to the mean. Future studies will explore long-term follow up, secondary outcomes, and potential moderators and mediators. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Suicidal Adolescents; http://clinicaltrials.gov; NCT01537419.

Exploring Acceptability and Feasibility of Evidence-Based Practice in Child Welfare Settings: A Pilot Study with Attachment-Based Family Therapy.

The Flemish Child Welfare System (CWS) is in great need of a shared empirically informed clinical strategy for working with depressed adolescents and their families. Many evidence-based practices (EBP) exist, but little is known as to whether they can be successfully imported in the CWS. Therefore, the current study explores the implementation of a particular EBP, Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT), in home-based services of the Flemish CWS in Belgium. Specifically, the study focused on (1) the acceptability of ABFT by counselors and whether negative attitudes about EBP can be changed (n = 73 counselors), and (2) the feasibility of implementing ABFT (n = 43 adolescents, 11-17 years old, 72% female) by exploring initial effectiveness. The results suggest that (1) initial negative attitudes of counselors towards ABFT were significantly more positive after attending training and discussions about ABFT, and that (2) ABFT could be used by counselors to successfully reduce adolescent depressive symptoms. Future research should include a control group to draw stronger causal conclusions. Strengths and limitations of the study's design and implications for further dissemination are discussed.

Attachment-Based Family Therapy With a 13-Year-Old Girl Presenting With High Risk for Suicide.

This article describes the application of Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) to the treatment of a 13-year-old female adolescent presenting with high risk of suicide, complicated by a history of depression and sexual trauma. The article begins with an overview of ABFT, including (a) how attachment theory guides treatment; (b) the structure of the clinical model; and (c) the data that provide empirical support. A case example is then presented that exemplifies the primary clinical procedures used to reach therapeutic goals in ABFT, including attachment repair and autonomy/competence promotion. Weekly changes in suicide ideation and depression scores are presented. The article concludes with a discussion about implications for family-based treatment of suicidal youth.

Communication about smoking between depressed adolescents and their parents.

INTRODUCTION: Better understanding of effective parent-adolescent communication regarding tobacco use could inform smoking cessation intervention. METHODS: Semistructured interviews related to communication about smoking were conducted with 15 depressed adolescent smokers and their parents, primarily from urban areas. This study, conducted in 2006-2008, was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Interview transcripts (N = 30) were coded in QSR N6. RESULTS: Quality of communication, rather than content, seemed to determine whether parental communication was effective. Parents reactivity to, or avoidance of, adolescent smoking presented a barrier to effective communication. In this sample, parents and adolescents were more concerned about problems, such as depression, than smoking. DISCUSSION: Involving parents in adolescent smoking cessation programs may be promising. Parental involvement may include teaching parent-child communication skills, building stronger relational bonds, or helping parents quit simultaneously. Further research is needed to explore whether coupling smoking cessation with depression treatment increases parent and adolescent treatment engagement and effectiveness.

Providers' experiences caring for adolescents who smoke cigarettes.

OBJECTIVE: To describe providers' experiences screening for and counseling adolescent patients who smoke cigarettes. DESIGN: Eight qualitative focus groups were conducted with 51 health care providers in primary care settings. Focus groups were video- and audiotaped; tapes were transcribed for coding by an interdisciplinary team using the constant comparative method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Providers reported experiences screening for and managing adolescent patients who reported smoking cigarettes. RESULTS: Providers expressed confidence in their ability to screen adolescent patients for tobacco use, particularly as part of regularly scheduled preventive and medical visits. Providers reported difficulty balancing screening for smoking with their concern for maintaining rapport with their adolescent patients. In addition, providers reported that adolescent smoking patterns differed from those of adults, and consequently, providers were not certain at what level of smoking an adolescent required intervention. Furthermore, providers were unclear regarding what interventions were recommended for and effective with adolescents. CONCLUSION: Providers are interested in adolescent evidence-based screening methods and cessation interventions that are supportive of a nonjudgmental and empathic approach to caring for adolescent smokers, particularly those with irregular and situational smoking patterns.