CAMS-4Teens, Suicide Index Score typologies, and family factors

Suicide is a leading cause of death for youth and young adults. There is a need for interventions that are suicide-specific, developmentally relevant, and accessible. The current study examines Suicide Index Score (SIS) typologies through the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality in an adolescent sample (CAMS-4Teens).

108 participants (59.4 % female, 78.9 % Caucasian, and mean age of 14.9 years) during an ongoing study who participated in up to 4 sessions of CAMS-4Teens were categorized using the SIS typologies: wish to live (WTL), ambivalent (AMB), and wish to die (WTD). Caregiver burden and family connectedness were also assessed. Main outcomes included pre-post differences in CAMS overall suicide risk scores and SSF Core Assessment scores. Two-way mixed repeated measures ANOVAs and their interactions were conducted.

Analyses revealed significant interactions between pre-post differences in CAMS overall suicide risk for the SIS groups, with WTD having the most significant reductions. None of the remaining interactions were significant, yet there were significant main effects over time for all pre-post outcomes regardless of SIS group status. Findings from exploratory analyses involving participants who completed a single session of CAMS are also discussed.

This was the first study to examine SIS typologies among an adolescent sample and demonstrates the benefits of identifying treatment targets for youth receiving CAMS and their family.