Pieta House

ABSTRACTThe study aimed to identify the level of suicidal ideation in early attrition clients and their reasons for the early termination of their therapy. The cross-sectional design involved early attrition clients (CA) who withdrew from therapy before their second session (n = 61), and continuing clients who (CC) progressed beyond their second session (n = 73). All completed the Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire-Revised scale, and the CA group also completed the Reasons for Terminating Therapy Scale. Clients were significantly more likely to disengage if they were self-referred, had no health-care support or had lower suicidal ideation. The study identifies the significant role of suicidal ideation and referral source in therapy retention and the implications this has for therapists and counsellors.

While research has increasingly identified risk factors and protective factors, there has been little research into the impact and predictability of these before and after engaging in a therapeutic intervention. This research addressed this by inviting clients attending a suicide intervention charity to complete questionnaires pre- and post-therapy. Items from the Positive and Negative Suicide Inventory were administered by a therapist before therapy had begun, and by an independent researcher one month after therapy had been completed (n = 147). Lower levels of Negative Suicidal Ideation (desire to die) and higher levels of Positive Suicidal Ideation (desire to live) were reported post-therapy. Analysis on protective factors identified three significant differences pre-therapy. The greatest predictor of positive ideation was more frequent physical activity. There were no differences post-therapy. For risk factors, there were five significant differences pre-therapy, with having a plan to die by suicide t...