Short-term effects of crisis response planning on optimism in a U.S. Army sample

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the short-term effects of a brief crisis intervention on optimism of acutely suicidal soldiers.

Methods: U.S. Soldiers (N = 97) presenting for an emergency mental health appointment in a military emergency department or behavioural health clinic were randomly assigned to treatment as usual standard crisis response plan, or enhanced crisis response plan (E-CRP). This study is used a subsample of the original clinical trial (n = 64) for those who completed self-report measures of optimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised) prior to receiving any intervention and a secondary self-report assessment one-month following the intervention.

Results: Results indicate that individuals with low baseline optimism who received the E-CRP had significant increases in optimism 1 month post-intervention.

Conclusion: This provides evidence that discussing a patient's reasons for living during a CRP increases optimism in those high-risk patients with the lowest baseline optimism.

Keywords: crisis response plan; military; suicide.