@article{ref1,
title="The effectiveness and safety of dialectical behavior therapy for suicidal ideation and behavior in autistic adults: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial",
journal="Psychological medicine",
year="2024",
author="Huntjens, Anne and van den Bosch, L. M. C. Wies and Sizoo, Bram and Kerkhof, Ad and Smit, Filip and van der Gaag, Mark",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUNDS: Many autistic people in mental health are suicidal. This study evaluated the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) v. treatment as usual (TAU) in reducing suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. <br><br>METHODS: At six Dutch mental health centers, 123 outpatients (18-65 years) with DSM-5 diagnosed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and suicidal behavior were randomly assigned to the DBT intervention group (n = 63) or TAU control group (n = 60). Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-treatment at 6 months and 12-month follow-up. The primary outcomes were severity of suicidal ideation and frequency of suicide attempts. The severity of depression and social anxiety were secondary outcomes. <br><br>RESULTS: At end-of-treatment, DBT significantly reduced both suicidal ideation (z = -2.24; p = 0.025; b = -4.41; s.e. = 197.0) and suicide attempts (z = -3.15; p = 0.002; IRR = 0.046; s.e. = 0.045) compared to TAU, but lost statistical significance at the 12-month follow-up. Depression severity significantly decreased with DBT (z = -1.99; p = 0.046: b = -2.74; s.e. = 1.37) remaining so at 12 months (z = -2.46; p = 0.014; b = -3.37; s.e. = 1.37). No effects were observed on social anxiety. Severe adverse events included two suicides in the TAU condition. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: DBT is an acceptable, safe, and short-term effective intervention to reduce suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in autistic adults with suicidal behavior.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0033-2917",
doi="10.1017/S0033291724000825",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724000825"
}