The Role of New Technologies to Prevent Suicide in Adolescence: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_3B82FA6A7657
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Title
The Role of New Technologies to Prevent Suicide in Adolescence: A Systematic Review of the Literature.
Journal
Medicina
Author(s)
Forte A., Sarli G., Polidori L., Lester D., Pompili M.
ISSN
1648-9144 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1010-660X
Publication state
Published
Issued date
26/01/2021
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
57
Number
2
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article ; Review ; Systematic Review
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Background and objectives: Suicide in adolescents represents a major public health concern. To date, a growing number of suicide preventive strategies based on the use of new technologies are emerging. We aimed to provide an overview of the present literature on the use of new technologies in adolescent suicide prevention. Materials and methods: An electronic search was run using the following keywords: Technology OR Technologies OR APP OR Application OR mobile application) AND (Adolescent OR youth OR puberty) AND (Suicid* OR Self-harm OR self-destruction). Inclusion criteria were: English language, published in a peer-reviewed journal, suicide prevention with the use of new technologies among adolescents. Results: Our search strategy yielded a total of 12 studies on the use of telemedicine, 7 on mobile applications, and 3 on language detection. We also found heterogeneity regarding the study design: 3 are randomized controlled trials (RCT), 13 are open-label single group trials, 2 are randomized studies, and 1 is a cross-sectional study. Telemedicine was the most adopted tool, especially web-based approaches. Mobile applications mostly focused on screening of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation, and for clinical monitoring through the use of text messages. Although telepsychiatry and mobile applications can provide a fast and safe tool, supporting and preceding a face-to-face clinical assessment, only a few studies demonstrated efficacy in preventing suicide among adolescents through the use of these interventions. Some studies suggested algorithms able to recognize people at risk of suicide from the exploration of the language on social media posts. Conclusions: New technologies were found to be well accepted and tolerated supports for suicide prevention in adolescents. However, to date, few data support the use of such interventions in clinical practice and preventive strategies. Further studies are needed to test their efficacy in suicide prevention among adolescents and young adults.
Keywords
Adolescent, Humans, Mobile Applications, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Suicidal Ideation, Telemedicine, Young Adult, Suicide Prevention, adolescents, suicide prevention, technologies
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
13/06/2023 15:37
Last modification date
17/07/2023 8:38
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