Ducasse D 1,2, Dassa D 1, Courtet P 1,2, Brand-Arpon V 1, Walter A 1, Guillaume S 1,2, Jaussent I2, Olié E 1,2.
1 CHU Montpellier, Lapeyronie Hospital, Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Post Acute Care, CHRU Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
2 INSERM U1061, Neuropsychiatry, Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France.
1 CHU Montpellier, Lapeyronie Hospital, Department of Emergency Psychiatry and Post Acute Care, CHRU Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
2 INSERM U1061, Neuropsychiatry, Epidemiological and Clinical Research, Montpellier, France.
First published: 18 January 2019
First Co‐Author: Dr. Déborah Dassa
Email: dassadeb@gmail.com
Email: dassadeb@gmail.com
Abstract
Background
The management of suicidal crisis remains a major issue for clinicians, driving the development of new strategies.
Methods
We conducted a randomized controlled trial based on a 7‐day add‐on positive psychology program: gratitude diary (intervention) versus food diary (control) in adults hospitalized for current suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt. The primary effectiveness outcome was between‐group differences for mean change of current psychological pain, between the beginning and the end of the 7‐day intervention. We measured between‐group differences for mean change of suicidal ideation, hopelessness and optimism, and depression and anxiety between inclusion and after the completion of the 7‐day intervention. We compared mean change of current psychological pain, suicidal ideation, and hopelessness and optimism between immediate pre and post daily journal completion.
Results
Two hundred and one participants were enrolled and randomized. Between pretherapy and posttherapy: There were no significant between‐group differences for mean change of severity and intensity of suicidal ideation and current hopelessness. Between‐group difference for mean change of current psychological pain was trending (P = 0.05). Mean change of depression, anxiety, and optimism was significantly higher in the intervention than in the control group. Between immediate pre and post daily journal completion: Between‐group differences favored gratitude (vs. food) diary for all outcomes (psychological pain, suicidal ideation, and hopelessness and optimism; P < 10−3).
Participants found the intervention to be more useful than the food diary.
Conclusions
Through gratitude diary appears a very straightforward intervention that could be developed as an adjunctive strategy for suicidal patients.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30657226