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Examining the Effectiveness of a Brief Therapeutic Intervention for Reducing Self-Harm Among Adolescents
Sponsor: University of Haifa
Summary
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), defined as deliberate self-inflicted destruction of body tissue without intent to die, is particularly prevalent during mid-adolescence, with prevalence estimated around 16-22% in community samples. Although distinct from suicidality, NSSI is a strong predictor of suicidal attempts. Yet intervention studies addressing self-injury urges and behaviors in youth remain scarce. The Cutting Down Program (CDP) is currently one of the most promising interventions for adolescents who self-harm. This three-month intervention, evidenced in a randomized controlled trial, integrates techniques from cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and dialectic-behavioral (DBT) therapies. Recently, an updated CDP protocol was developed to more directly address suicidality and involve parents in the treatment. This study will test the updated protocol with a sample of adolescents who self-harm, recruited from schools and treated by educational psychologists of the Israeli Psychological and Counseling Services (SHEFI). We will examine the intervention's effects on mental health outcomes (e.g., self-injury) and on potential mediators (emotion regulation and parental emotion socialization), to clarify its mechanisms of change.
Official title: Examining the Effectiveness of a Brief Therapeutic Intervention for Reducing Self-harm Among Adolescents
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
12 Years - 18 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2026-11-10
Completion Date
2027-09-30
Last Updated
2026-11-03
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Cutting Down Program - a three-month cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy focused on reducing self-injury urges and behaviors in adolescents
The CDP protocol in this project consists of 12 weekly individual 50-minute sessions, three parents sessions and one follow-up meeting with the family. Modules include: 1. Psychoeducation about self-injury, understanding personalized functions of self-injury, discussing motivation for change, risk assessment for suicidality and safety plan. 2. Emotional identification and management, activities scheduling, identifying and managing negative thoughts and self-judgment, and committing to goals. 3. Coping strategies, including problem solving, assertiveness, management of anxiety, anger or hopelessness, mindfulness, emotion regulation and alternatives for self-injury. 4. Progress review, identifying triggers and reinforcing coping strategies to maintain progress and post-treatment. Parents meetings focus on psychoeducation about self-injury and skills for emotion validation and support of alternatives to self-injury. The third session involves both parents and adolescents, emphasizing pare
Locations (1)
Psychological and Counseling Services (SHEFI)
Tel Aviv, Israel