Behavior Therapy vs Insight-Oriented Therapy for Repeated Suicide Attempters

Abstract

• A behavior therapy package was compared with insightoriented therapy in a clinical trial for repeated suicide attempters. Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and assertiveness were obtained before and after ten days of inpatient treatment and at follow-up intervals for nine months. Interviews with patients during a two-year follow-up period elicited frequency of suicidal attempts and ideation. Results indicated the superiority of the behavior therapy package, with the structured, brief hospitalization and assertive follow-up likely contributing to the main effects.