Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters

The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is a brief therapy aimed at preventing repeat suicide attempts by addressing the underlying backgrounds and vulnerabilities associated with suicidal behaviour. In Switzerland, ASSIP demonstrated an 80% reduction in long-term risk of repeat sui...

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Main Authors: Sara Lindström, Johanna Clausen Ekefjärd, Jonas Berge, Marie Dahlin, Anja Gysin-Maillart, Anna Ehnvall, Bo Runeson, Margda Waern, Åsa Westrin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2025.2489231
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author Sara Lindström
Johanna Clausen Ekefjärd
Jonas Berge
Marie Dahlin
Anja Gysin-Maillart
Anna Ehnvall
Bo Runeson
Margda Waern
Åsa Westrin
author_facet Sara Lindström
Johanna Clausen Ekefjärd
Jonas Berge
Marie Dahlin
Anja Gysin-Maillart
Anna Ehnvall
Bo Runeson
Margda Waern
Åsa Westrin
author_sort Sara Lindström
collection DOAJ
description The Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is a brief therapy aimed at preventing repeat suicide attempts by addressing the underlying backgrounds and vulnerabilities associated with suicidal behaviour. In Switzerland, ASSIP demonstrated an 80% reduction in long-term risk of repeat suicide attempts, but a description of the implementation and effects in a Swedish context is lacking. This pilot study, as part of a larger feasibility study preparing for a future RCT, examines the clinical characteristics of individuals receiving ASSIP in Sweden, focusing on gender differences and initial outcomes. One hundred individuals who had attempted suicide were recruited from psychiatric facilities across Sweden. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including diagnostic information and details about suicide attempt methods. Suicidal intent at index suicide attempt was assessed by the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). Attitude towards suicide, suicide ideation and behaviour and other suicide-related symptoms were measured using the Suicide Assessment Scale Self-rate (SUAS-S) at baseline and after three sessions of ASSIP, and changes in SUAS-S scores were used to assess initial outcomes. Almost half of the cohort had a mood disorder and 39% had an anxiety disorder. Men were more likely than women to use violent methods in their suicide attempts. The mean SIS score was 17.6. SUAS-S scores had decreased significantly by the third session. The findings of this pilot study showed reduced self-rated scores on SUAS among high-risk individuals after three sessions of ASSIP treatment, suggesting the potential relevance brief, targeted interventions in suicide prevention. Except for the attempt method, no gender differences were found.
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spelling doaj-art-fa004f2b9a9041a8a4555d9018e5d4692025-08-20T02:16:48ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Psychology2331-19082025-12-0112110.1080/23311908.2025.2489231Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attemptersSara Lindström0Johanna Clausen Ekefjärd1Jonas Berge2Marie Dahlin3Anja Gysin-Maillart4Anna Ehnvall5Bo Runeson6Margda Waern7Åsa Westrin8Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenCentre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, SwedenDepartment of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, SwedenThe Attempted Suicide Short Intervention Program (ASSIP) is a brief therapy aimed at preventing repeat suicide attempts by addressing the underlying backgrounds and vulnerabilities associated with suicidal behaviour. In Switzerland, ASSIP demonstrated an 80% reduction in long-term risk of repeat suicide attempts, but a description of the implementation and effects in a Swedish context is lacking. This pilot study, as part of a larger feasibility study preparing for a future RCT, examines the clinical characteristics of individuals receiving ASSIP in Sweden, focusing on gender differences and initial outcomes. One hundred individuals who had attempted suicide were recruited from psychiatric facilities across Sweden. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including diagnostic information and details about suicide attempt methods. Suicidal intent at index suicide attempt was assessed by the Suicide Intent Scale (SIS). Attitude towards suicide, suicide ideation and behaviour and other suicide-related symptoms were measured using the Suicide Assessment Scale Self-rate (SUAS-S) at baseline and after three sessions of ASSIP, and changes in SUAS-S scores were used to assess initial outcomes. Almost half of the cohort had a mood disorder and 39% had an anxiety disorder. Men were more likely than women to use violent methods in their suicide attempts. The mean SIS score was 17.6. SUAS-S scores had decreased significantly by the third session. The findings of this pilot study showed reduced self-rated scores on SUAS among high-risk individuals after three sessions of ASSIP treatment, suggesting the potential relevance brief, targeted interventions in suicide prevention. Except for the attempt method, no gender differences were found.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2025.2489231Suicide preventionASSIP interventionsuicide attemptgender differencespsychotherapyCognitive Psychology
spellingShingle Sara Lindström
Johanna Clausen Ekefjärd
Jonas Berge
Marie Dahlin
Anja Gysin-Maillart
Anna Ehnvall
Bo Runeson
Margda Waern
Åsa Westrin
Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters
Cogent Psychology
Suicide prevention
ASSIP intervention
suicide attempt
gender differences
psychotherapy
Cognitive Psychology
title Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters
title_full Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters
title_fullStr Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters
title_full_unstemmed Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters
title_short Exploring clinical characteristics, gender differences, and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program (ASSIP) in a Swedish cohort of suicide attempters
title_sort exploring clinical characteristics gender differences and initial outcomes of a pilot study of the attempted suicide short intervention program assip in a swedish cohort of suicide attempters
topic Suicide prevention
ASSIP intervention
suicide attempt
gender differences
psychotherapy
Cognitive Psychology
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311908.2025.2489231
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