Mobile Interventions for Suicide

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byKirsten H Dillon, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: VA Office of Research and Development

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Suicide cognitions are conceptualized as enduring, chronic vulnerability factors that predispose individuals to suicidal crises. Therefore, modification of these beliefs may reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors. The goal of this research is to develop, refine, and pilot-test a mobile intervention to reduce cognitions that contribute to elevated suicide risk and to assess the impact of reductions in suicide cognitions and anger cognitions on suicide risk and functioning.

Research Team

Kirsten H Dillon, PhD

Principal Investigator

Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for U.S. veterans aged 18 or older who have PTSD, experience anger and suicidal thoughts but without immediate intent to harm themselves or others. They must be able to read at a sixth-grade level and should be actively engaged in mental health treatment. Veterans with bipolar, psychotic disorders, imminent suicide risk, homicidal ideation, or current substance use disorder cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Report a score of 12 on the 5-item Dimensions of Anger Reactions Scale

Can read at least 6th grade level material

Report a score of 1-3 (indicating ideation without intent) on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)

See 3 more

Exclusion Criteria

You have been diagnosed with bipolar or psychotic disorder.

You are currently at high risk of trying to harm yourself or someone else, and need immediate help.

You currently have a problem with drugs or alcohol.

Treatment Details

Interventions

Mobile Intervention for Reducing Anger (MIRA) (Behavioural Intervention)
Mobile Intervention for Suicidal Thoughts (MIST) (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study is testing two mobile apps: MIST aims to reduce suicidal thoughts by changing negative beliefs about oneself while MIRA focuses on managing anger. The effectiveness of these apps will be measured by their ability to lower the risk of suicide and improve overall functioning in participants.

Participant Groups

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: MIST intervention followed by MIRA interventionExperimental Treatment2 Interventions

These are both mobile interventions that use interpretation bias modification (IBM) techniques to reduce cognitive biases. The MIST app targets suicidal cognitions and the MIRA app targets hostile interpretation bias (which contributes to anger). The MIRA application has already been developed, but the MIST application is newly developed based on the same procedures. All participants will complete the MIST intervention and provide feedback so that we can refine it. We will also be collecting EMA data on to examine how changes to suicide cognitions and hostile interpretation bias (by use of the two apps) affects suicidal ideation and functioning.