Predictors of Treatment Engagement among Suicidal Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Adolescents and young adults experiencing homelessness report high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, yet limited research has examined predictors of treatment engagement among suicidal homeless youth populations. Suicidal homeless youth (N=150) between the ages of 18 and 24 years old were recruited from a local drop-in center in Columbus, Ohio. Participants were randomly assigned to Cognitive Therapy for Suicide Prevention + treatment as usual through a local drop-in center (CTSP + TAU) (N=75) or TAU alone (N=75), and treatment attendance among those assigned to CTSP +TAU was examined in the current study. As expected, among youth engaged in CTSP+TAU, those with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) showed decreased odds of treatment attendance. Findings also revealed that youth randomized into CTSP+TAU with higher acquired capability for suicide (ACS) scores and those identifying as Black were more likely to attend treatment sessions. These findings suggest that effective treatment implementation must consider youth’s trauma history, demographics and severity of suicidal ideation and behaviors.