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

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.