Behavior Therapy vs Insight-Oriented Therapy for Repeated Suicide Attempters

A behavior therapy package was compared with insight-oriented therapy in a clinical trial for repeated suicide attempters. Self-report measures of depression, anxiety, and assertiveness were obtained before and after ten days of inpatient treatment and at follow-up intervals for nine moths. Interviews with patients during a two-year follow-up period elicited frequency of suicidal attempts and ideation. Results indicated the superiority of the behavior therapy package, with the structured, brief hospitalization and assertive follow-up likely contributing to the main effects.