Self-Esteem: A Protective Mechanism for Adolescent Mental Health
Condition: Self Esteem; Suicide and Self-harm
MeSH terms: Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study will explore the effects of the Injeti Self-Love Model intervention on adolescents
      challenged with low-self-esteem leading to self-harming, suicidal thoughts and suicidal
      attempts. This study will examine the promotion of self-esteem through the Injeti Self-Love
      Model as a safety measure against "poor behavioral habits" such as intentional self-harming,
      substance abuse, suicidal thinking and suicide attempt as means to cope. Study participation
      will include initial screening, self-assessment, occupational therapy self-esteem
      intervention of one session, with an individual follow-up, along with an interview, and
      finishing up with a one-month follow-up interview.

      The qualitative research is a methodology for investigating and considering the meaning
      individuals attribute to a significant human experience. The qualitative approach will be
      structured around a semi-structured interview initiated at the end of the second follow-up
      session and after 1-month follow-up.
    

Detailed description: 
      This study uses a mixed method quasi-experimental pretest and posttest design which
      incorporates characteristics of both qualitative and quantitative approaches The use of the
      mixed method design approach is to explore an intervention tool which is administered. The
      study will be conducted in a locked in-patient psychiatric facility on the adolescent unit.
      Participants will be engaging in two intervention sessions. The first session will be
      conducted individually or in a group format. The second session will consist of a follow-up
      individual session.

      Participation in this study involves the following: if the subjects meet the inclusion
      criteria;

        -  The research team will gather demographic data from the subjects medical chart which
           will include the following: gender, age, trauma history, family dynamics such as
           divorced, single parents, foster family, weight and height, residential and town or city
           of residence.

        -  Subject will be asked to complete a self-esteem assessment called the Rosenberg
           Self-Esteem Scale, this will take about 10 minutes.

        -  Then the subject will be invited to attend the occupational therapy self-esteem
           treatment session. The self-esteem intervention is already part of the curriculum at
           Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center on the adolescent unit. If participants
           meet inclusion criteria and after signing of consents and PHI, and taking the
           self-assessment the subjects will be invited to join the self-esteem group session and
           or individual treatment session if they cannot make it to the group session. The
           self-esteem treatment is based on a psychoeducation process encouraging discussion and
           focus on self-awareness of ones own self-esteem. During group processing the therapist
           will provided the handout of the self-love model.

        -  Within 2 to 3 days of the self-esteem treatment session there will be an individual
           follow up session to review the intervention. A self-esteem improvement plan handout
           will be provided, the subject will complete the self-esteem assessment again and will
           participate in an interview that will be audio recorded. The interview will take
           approximately 15 minutes.

        -  Within 40 days of discharge the subjects will be contacted for a follow-up
           audio-recorded interview which may be conducted via phone, in-person or videoconference.
           The subject will also complete the self-esteem assessments again. This may take up to 30
           minutes.
    

Intervention name(s): Self-Love Model
Intervention type(s): Behavioral
Intervention description(s): The model is a visual illustration shaped as a triangle.
The bottom left line is title "Zero Self-Love", moving upward are characteristics identified from "zero self-love" along the line.
The bottom right side is titled "Self-Love" moving upward are characteristics identified from having "self-love".
At the top of the triangle is a circle with the letter "R" within for relationship.
Two small lines project horizontally, from the circle, left and right.
At the end of the Left line is a circle with the word "break-up" in the middle, surrounded by terms: drugs, alcohol, self-harming, suicide, and sex" as the consequence of "zero self-love".
At the end of right line is a circle with the word "break-up" in the middle surrounded by terms: support system, coping skills, spirituality reflection as the consequences of having self-love.
The strategies being discussed:
Exploring self-esteem strategies.
Importance of self-worth in relationships.
Importance of self-awareness.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: occupational Therapy; self-esteem intervention; cognitive behavioral therapy; psychoeducation; suicide