Shame-focused cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce suicide risk in hospitalized teens
A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Of Shame-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Suicide Prevention In Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients
This program will test whether shame-focused cognitive behavioral therapy helps hospitalized teens (ages 13–18) with recent suicide attempts or severe suicidal thoughts reduce shame and lower suicide risk.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 42 (estimated) |
| Ages | 13 Years to 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Peking University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Trial ID | NCT07294001 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a single-site pilot randomized controlled trial at Peking University Sixth Hospital enrolling about 42 adolescents hospitalized for recent suicide attempt or severe suicidal ideation, randomized 2:1 to Shame-Focused CBT (SF-CBT) or supportive therapy. SF-CBT consists of seven 50–60 minute individual sessions targeting motivation, emotion recognition, shame-coping strategies, self-esteem, and relapse prevention, with three structured parent/guardian psychoeducation sessions; the comparison supportive therapy matches session dose. Primary outcomes are feasibility and acceptability (recruitment, retention, adherence, fidelity, adverse events, and user ratings), and secondary outcomes examine preliminary changes in shame, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior with follow-ups at 1, 3, and 6 months. The trial excludes patients with current mania, psychotic spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, very short expected stays, or other conditions that prevent participation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adolescents aged 13–18 who are hospitalized for a recent suicide attempt or severe suicidal ideation and have elevated shame (EISS ≥ 9) with a consenting parent or guardian.
Not a fit: Patients with current manic episodes, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, expected inpatient stays under 14 days, or those unable to engage in individual therapy are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, SF-CBT could provide a structured therapy that reduces shame and helps lower suicidal thoughts and behaviors in high-risk adolescents.
How similar studies have performed: Directly targeting shame is relatively novel; while CBT approaches have reduced adolescent suicidal ideation in other trials, few have tested shame-focused protocols so existing evidence is limited but promising.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents aged 13-18 years, male or female. * Recent suicide risk, defined as: At least one suicide attempt in the past month, or Current suicidal ideation within the past month (with or without plan/intent) and at least one previous attempt. * Elevated shame level (baseline score ≥ 9 on the External and Internal Shame Scale, EISS). * Adequate cognitive capacity to participate in interviews and assessments. * Parent/legal guardian (or designated responsible adult authorized by guardian) provides informed consent and agrees to participate. Exclusion Criteria: * Current manic episode. * History of schizophrenia spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or organic brain disease. * Severe psychiatric or medical conditions that impair capacity for consent or participation. * Expected to receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) during hospitalization. * Anticipated inpatient stay shorter than 14 days (to ensure intervention completion).
Where this trial is running
Beijing, Beijing Municipality
- Peking University Sixth Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Wanyan Hu, PhD Candidate
- Email: 2301110717@stu.pku.edu.cn
- Phone: 86 13071171218
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.