Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Cognitive Therapy-Based Strategic Program for Reducing Suicidal Thoughts and Depression in Adolescents: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abouzar  Raeisvandi; Ladan  Mohammadizadeh; Mahsasadat Darb  Emamiye; Sakineh Rezaeipoor  kopte; Mahsa Moghanni  Yazdi; Elahe  Jafari; Marziyeh  Amjadi; Zahra  Hosseinkhani

doi:10.18502/ijre.v21i3.20505

Abouzar Raeisvandi Ph.D Candidate of Epidemiology, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Ladan Mohammadizadeh Ph.D of Psychology, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Mahsasadat Darb Emamiye Master of Psychology, Clinical Research Development Unit, Qods Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Sakineh Rezaeipoor kopte Master of Psychology, Clinical Research Development Unit, Qods Hospital, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Mahsa Moghanni Yazdi Ph.D Candidate of Psychology, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Elahe Jafari Ph.D Candidate of Epidemiology, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Marziyeh Amjadi Master of Social Science Research, Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Zahra Hosseinkhani Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijre.v21i3.20505

Keywords: Suicidal thoughts, Depression, Adolescents, Clinical trial, Cognitive therapy

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Suicidal thoughts and depression during adolescence present significant challenges that have major negative consequences for public health. The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based strategic program for preventing suicide and depression in adolescents.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the winter of 2025 on 36 adolescents with suicidal thoughts and depression in Qazvin province, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. The intervention group received cognitive-behavioral therapy for 6 weeks, while the control group received the standard treatment protocol designed by the Ministry of Health for 4 weeks. Comparisons between groups were made before, immediately after, and three months following the intervention. The Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation and the Beck Depression Inventory-II were used to assess suicidal thoughts and depression.

Results: The mean difference in suicidal ideation and depression scores (with 95% confidence intervals) in the intervention group compared to the control group was 2.96 (1.19, 4.74) and 5.84 (0.86, 10.81), respectively, immediately after the intervention, and 6.06 (4.51, 7.61) and 11.62 (7.24, 15.99), respectively, at the three-month follow-up. Cognitive therapy had a significant effect only on reducing depression (p = 0.022). Furthermore, the pattern of change in suicidal thoughts over time differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.021).

Conclusion: The cognitive-based strategic program significantly reduced depression levels among adolescents. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating cognitive therapy into depression treatment programs in health and medical centers. Additionally, intervention programs aiming to reduce suicidal thoughts should be designed with consideration of changing patterns of suicidal ideation over time.