Predictors of Treatment Engagement Among Suicidal Youth Experiencing Homelessness.
Laura Walsh, Ellison Luthy, Xin Feng, Tansel Yilmazer, Jodi Ford, Kelly Kelleher, Laura Chavez, Natasha Slesnick
Author Information
Laura Walsh: Department of Human Sciences, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Ave, 135 Campbell Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. walsh.777@osu.edu. ORCID
Ellison Luthy: Department of Human Sciences, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Ave, 135 Campbell Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Xin Feng: Department of Human Sciences, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Ave, 135 Campbell Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Tansel Yilmazer: Department of Human Sciences, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Ave, 135 Campbell Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Jodi Ford: College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Kelly Kelleher: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Laura Chavez: Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.
Natasha Slesnick: Department of Human Sciences, College of Education and Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, 1787 Neil Ave, 135 Campbell Hall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
Homeless youth experience high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, yet limited research has examined predictors of treatment engagement among this population. Suicidal homeless youth (N = 150) between the ages of 18 and 24 years were recruited from a drop-in center in Columbus, Ohio. Participants were randomly assigned to Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention + treatment as usual through a local drop-in center (CTSP + TAU) (N = 75) or TAU alone (N = 75), and treatment attendance among those assigned to CTSP + TAU was examined in this study. As expected, among youth engaged in CTSP + TAU, those with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) showed decreased odds of treatment attendance. Additionally, youth randomized into CTSP + TAU with higher acquired capability for suicide (ACS) scores and those identifying as Black were more likely to attend treatment sessions. Findings suggest that effective treatment implementation must consider youth's trauma history, demographics and severity of suicidal ideation and behaviors.
