Predicting future suicidal events in adolescents using the Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR)

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Adolescent Health
• Mental Health Assessment

Background:

• Suicidal ideation assessment in adolescents is critical, as suicide is a leading cause of death.
• Existing self-report scales often lack predictive utility for future suicide attempts.
• High-risk adolescents in intensive outpatient programs (IOP) require accurate predictive tools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR) as a prospective predictor of suicide attempts and events.
• To assess the CHRT-SR's utility in high-risk adolescents undergoing suicide prevention treatment.
• To determine the predictive accuracy of the CHRT-SR for suicidal behaviors during intensive outpatient treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of adolescents in a suicide-prevention intensive outpatient program (IOP).
• Baseline administration of the 14-item Concise Health Risk Tracking Self-Report (CHRT-SR14) assessing Propensity, Impulsivity, and Suicidal Thoughts.
• Assessment of two outcomes: actual suicide attempts and suicidal events (attempt, hospitalization, or ED visit) during IOP.

Main Results:

• Adolescents with suicidal events had significantly higher baseline CHRT-SR14 Total, Propensity, and Suicidal Thoughts scores.
• The CHRT-SR14 Total Score of 28 predicted suicide attempts with 85.7% sensitivity and 56.5% specificity.
• A CHRT-SR14 Total Score of 22 predicted suicidal events with 80.8% sensitivity and 40.9% specificity.

Conclusions:

• The CHRT-SR14 demonstrates strong predictive value for suicide attempts and events in high-risk adolescents.
• The self-report scale achieves at least 80% sensitivity in predicting suicidal behaviors.
• The CHRT-SR offers a valuable tool for identifying adolescents at imminent risk of suicide attempts.