Problem:
Few empirically tested, school-based, suicide-prevention programs exist. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the post-intervention efficacy of Counselors-CARE (C-CAST) and Coping and Support Training (CAST) vs. “usual care” controls for reducing suicide risk.

For more information, visit the PubMed.gov webpage discussing this study.

Abstract:
This study evaluated the immediate post-intervention effects of two brief suicide prevention protocols: a brief interview–Counselors CARE (C-CARE)–and C-CARE plus a 12-session Coping and Support Training (CAST) peer-group intervention. Subjects were students “at risk” of high school dropout and suicide potential in Grades 9-12 from seven high schools (N = 341). Students were assigned randomly to C-CARE plus CAST, C-CARE only, or “intervention as usual.” The predicted patterns of change were assessed using trend analyses on data available from three repeated measures. C-CARE and CAST led to increases in personal control, problem-solving coping, and perceived family support. Both C-CARE plus CAST and C-CARE only led to decreases in depression, and to enhanced self-esteem and family goals met. All three groups showed equivalent decreases in suicide risk behaviors, anger control problems, and family distress.

Objectives:
This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 indicated preventive interventions, post-intervention and at 9-month follow-up.

For more information, visit the PubMed.gov webpage discussing this study.

Abstract:
This article specifically addressed the need for a multidimensional approach to measuring adolescents’ drug involvement. The Drug Involvement Scale for Adolescents (DISA) was theoretically specified and its measurement properties were tested using Confirmatory Factor Analyses and traditional procedures with 705 high-risk and typical high school students. Five first-order dimensions, Drug Access, Alcohol Use, Other Drug Use, Drug Use Control Problems, and Adverse Drug Use Consequences, and a hierarchical model of Drug Involvement demonstrated a good fit between model and data. Further, the DISA demonstrated good internal consistency (alpha = .91); correlated as expected with known correlates of adolescent drug use; discriminated drug involvement between high-risk and typical high school students; and predicted later drug involvement and known drug-related consequences among adolescents. The results suggest the DISA should be useful for capturing a multidimensional view of adolescent drug involvement in both etiologic and prevention studies. A major advantage of the DISA is its brevity: twenty-two indicators constructed from twenty-nine items.

For more information, visit the PubMed.gov webpage discussing this study.

Abstract:
A multidimensional view of adolescent drug involvement has been called for in literature to help understand the general etiology of drug progression and to provide a better evaluative tool for prevention and intervention efforts. Hence, in this study, we posited and tested a multidimensional model of adolescent drug involvement with test and verification samples of high school students (N = 705 and 489, respectively). Five first-order dimensions–drug access, alcohol use, other drug use, drug control problems, and adverse drug use consequences–were tested as a higher-order confirmatory factor analysis model of drug involvement, demonstrating a good fit of the data and the expected associations with known correlates of adolescent drug use frequency. Models of change for high-risk versus low-risk youths highlighted the importance of a multidimensional perspective by revealing both differential levels and rates of change across the first-order dimensions of drug involvement. Implications for future studies of the etiology and prevention of adolescent drug involvement are suggested.

Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to explore the roles of anxiety, depression, and hopelessness as mediators between known risk factors and suicidal behaviors among 1,287 potential high school dropouts. As a step toward theory development, a model was tested that posited the relationships among these variables and their effects on suicidal behaviors. Structural equation models, estimated separately by gender, revealed support for the model, and substantial similarities between males and females. The results showed direct effects of depression and hopelessness on suicidal behaviors for males, and the direct effects of hopelessness, but not depression, for females. For both males and females, anxiety was directly linked to depression and hopelessness; drug involvement had both direct and indirect effects on suicidal behavior. As hypothesized, lack of family support showed indirect influences on suicidal behaviors through anxiety for both males and females. The results have important implications for future model development regarding adolescent suicidal behaviors.

For more information, visit the PubMed.gov webpage discussing this study.

Abstract:
This study examined the hypothesis that among one group of high-risk youth–potential high school dropouts–key psychosocial factors would distinguish adolescents endorsing high suicide ideation from those who do not. Survey data compared high-risk youth with high suicide ideation (n = 43) with randomly selected samples of high-risk (n = 43) and “typical” youth (n = 42) without high suicide ideation. Repeat sampling of comparison groups verified results. Compared to high-risk and typical youth without suicide ideation, high-risk youth with high suicide ideation reported more psychosocial distress, problems with drug involvement, and disrupted family relations. They also described more unmet school goals and perceived a greater likelihood of dropping out of school. Discriminant analysis revealed that depression and low self-esteem were most effective in distinguishing between high-risk youth with and without high suicide ideation; family strain, anger, stress, and drug involvement also were differentiating factors. Implications for school-based screening and prevention programs are discussed within the context of the findings.

For more information, visit the PubMed.gov webpage discussing this study.