Psychosocial Treatments for Ethnoculturally Diverse Youth with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Abstract

This chapter reviews the available empirical evidence regarding psychosocial treatments tested with or developed for minoritized ethnocultural youth in the United States experiencing self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). Addressing the frameworks of evidence-based practice, cultural adaptation, and treatment development, we summarize relevant research across five minoritized ethnocultural groups (Latinx, Black/African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, and Middle Eastern/North African [MENA]) according to five categories indicating whether interventions were developed or adapted for particular ethnocultural groups and/or with attention to cultural context. We find limited representation of minoritized ethnocultural youth in psychosocial treatment research for SITBs, with no studies identified for Asian American and MENA youth and one study in progress for American Indian youth. While a relatively greater number of studies have included Latinx and African American youth, evidence of treatment relevance is still low. Evidence of efficacy in reducing SITBs remains limited and studies to replicate findings from small trials are warranted. We expand our review with recommendations for broadening the evidence base on psychosocial treatments from both “top-down” (e.g., cultural adaptations/increase external validity) and “bottom-up” (e.g., treatment development grounded in clinical and community expertise) approaches.

Suicide prevention programming across ecological levels: Recommendations from Latinx immigrant origin youth and their parents.

“…However, minoritized youth and families—including Latinx youth—are underrepresented in suicide research (Polanco-Roman & Miranda, 2022). As a result, most clinical trials for the prevention or treatment of youth STB (e.g., effectiveness trials of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents) do not include sufficient representation of minoritized youth to systematically examine race or ethnicity as a moderator of treatment effect (Y. Duarté-Vélez et al, 2021).…”

“…As a result, most clinical trials for the prevention or treatment of youth STB (e.g., effectiveness trials of dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents) do not include sufficient representation of minoritized youth to systematically examine race or ethnicity as a moderator of treatment effect (Y. Duarté-Vélez et al, 2021).…”