Peer Relations Training Moderates Trauma Symptoms and Suicide Ideation for Youth in a Residential Program.

Youth in residential programs have high rates of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicidality. Although trauma symptoms and suicidality can both be related to peer relationship problems, there is little research on how social skills training on peer relations could help these youth. This study examined if progress made on peer relations training and sex moderated the association between trauma symptoms at intake and suicide ideation incidents while in the program. The sample included archival data on youth placed in a large residential program in the Midwest (N = 1118) ages 12–19 years old (M = 15.97 years, SD = 1.15), of which 62.2% were boys. Results indicated both peer relations training (b = −0.07, SE = 0.02, p = 0.001) and sex (b = −0.04, SE = 0.02, p = 0.032) moderated the relationship between trauma symptoms at intake and suicide ideation incidents in care. The benefits of peer relations training for youth presenting with trauma symptoms and suicide ideations are discussed along with recommendations for further research. Highlights: Peer relations training moderated the association between trauma symptoms at intake and suicide ideation incidents in the program with a stronger relationship for youth who did not receive the training. Sex moderated the association between suicide risk at intake and suicide ideation incidents in the program with a stronger relationship for girls. Matching specific social skills to individualized youth needs should be considered to improve services for youth in residential programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]