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[Suicidal behavior prevention for children under age 13: A systematic review]
L Baux-Cazal1, E Gokalsing2, S Amadeo3
1Centre hospitalier universitaire de La Réunion, 97410 Saint-Pierre, Réunion.
L'Encephale
|September 18, 2016
Summary
Preventive measures for child suicide exist, including school programs and gatekeepers, but evidence is limited. More research is needed to confirm effective interventions for children under 13.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Public Health
- Psychology
Background:
- Suicidal behavior in children under 13 is a significant concern.
- Existing literature on prevention strategies for this age group requires comprehensive review.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review international literature on suicidal behavior prevention for children under 13.
- To identify existing preventive measures and assess the evidence supporting their efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Searched PubMed, PsychINFO, and SUDOC databases for English and French articles until February 2014.
- Included studies on prevention programs (screening, intervention, gatekeepers) for children under 13.
- Included cited references and excluded studies without age-specific analysis for under-13s.
Main Results:
- Identified 33 relevant articles detailing various preventive measures like social programs, maltreatment prevention, school-based screening, gatekeepers, and post-suicide interventions.
- School-based programs and gatekeepers improved suicide knowledge and help-seeking.
- Post-suicide programs showed short-term reduction in psychological distress; one study indicated reduced attempted suicide risk after child welfare system entry.
- Evidence quality was limited by methodological concerns, particularly a lack of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs).
Conclusions:
- Promising interventions for child suicide prevention exist, but scientific evidence is insufficient to support any single measure.
- Further research is crucial to establish effective primary, secondary, tertiary, and post-intervention strategies for children under 13.
