An Enhanced Social Networking Intervention for Young People with Active Suicidal Ideation: Safety, Feasibility and Acceptability Outcomes

Eleanor Bailey, Mario Alvarez-Jimenez, Jo Robinson, Simon D’Alfonso, Maja Nedeljkovic, Christopher G. Davey, Sarah Bendall, Tamsyn Gilbertson, Jessica Phillips, Lisa Bloom, Laura Nicholls, Nicola Garland, Daniela Cagliarini, Mark Phelan, Ben McKechnie, Jessica Mitchell, Melanie Cooke and Simon M. Rice
Additional contact information
Eleanor Bailey: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Mario Alvarez-Jimenez: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Jo Robinson: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Simon D’Alfonso: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Maja Nedeljkovic: Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia
Christopher G. Davey: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Sarah Bendall: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Tamsyn Gilbertson: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Jessica Phillips: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Lisa Bloom: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Laura Nicholls: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Nicola Garland: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Daniela Cagliarini: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Mark Phelan: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Ben McKechnie: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Jessica Mitchell: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Melanie Cooke: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
Simon M. Rice: Orygen, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Online social networking interventions have potential to support young people who experience suicidal thoughts by specifically addressing interpersonal risk factors for suicide, but may also pose a risk of harm. This uncontrolled, single-group pilot study aimed to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of an enhanced online social networking intervention (“Affinity”) among a sample of young people who experienced active suicidal ideation, and to explore potential changes in clinical outcomes and the therapeutic targets of the intervention. Twenty young people with current or recent suicidal ideation who were receiving treatment for depression at a tertiary-level mental health service were given access to Affinity for two months. Participants were assessed at baseline and 8-week follow-up; 90 percent reported clinical suicidal ideation at baseline. A priori criteria related to feasibility, safety and acceptability were satisfied. In terms of potential clinical effects, significant and reliable pre-post improvements were found on self-report outcomes including suicidal ideation. This study provides initial world-first evidence to support the use of an online intervention incorporating social networking as an adjunct to treatment for young people who experience suicidal ideation. The effectiveness of Affinity needs to be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial.

Keywords: suicide; young people; internet; social media; Interpersonal Theory of Suicide; interventions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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