A Pilot Study of the Acceptability and Usability of a Smartphone Application Intervention for Suicidal Adolescents and Their Parents

Abstract

Interconnectedness through technology presents both challenges and opportunities for suicide prevention and intervention with adolescents and families. The time following discharge from acute care facilities represents a critical period of suicide risk for adolescents, which could be buffered by a technological intervention they could use post-discharge. Crisis Care is a smartphone application intervention developed specifically for suicidal adolescents and their parents to use during this period of increased risk. A web-based prototype of Crisis Care was pilot tested with 20 adolescent-parent dyads. Results demonstrated acceptability and usability, suggesting the utility of technological interventions, such as Crisis Care, as an adjunct to treatment for suicidal adolescents and their parents following discharge from acute care settings.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• intervention
• parent
• smartphone app
• suicide

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kimberly H. McManama O'Brien

Kimberly H. McManama O'Brien, PhD, Simmons School of Social Work, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Mary LeCloux

Mary LeCloux, PhD, West Virginia University School of Social Work, Morgantown, WV, USA.

Abigail Ross

Abigail Ross, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Christina Gironda

Christina Gironda, MSW, Simmons School of Social Work, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Elizabeth A. Wharff

Elizabeth A. Wharff, PhD, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA