Future images: an art intervention with suicidal adolescents.

In this study, the effectiveness of an art future-image intervention (AFI) designed to increase self-esteem, improve future time perspective, and decrease depression in hospitalized suicidal adolescents was tested. A pretest-posttest time series design was used with two groups, an experimental group and an attention placebo group. The experimental group, although hospitalized for a shorter length of time (p = .08), showed greater positive changes than the placebo group. Both groups improved on all measures during and after hospitalization. Experimental participant enthusiasm, shorter hospitalization, and positive comments at follow-up warrant continued testing and refinement of the AFI.