An online, single-session intervention for adolescent self-injurious thoughts and behaviors: Results from a randomized trial. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dobias, Mallory L.; Schleider, Jessica L.; Jans, Laura; Fox, Kathryn R.
• Is Part Of: Behaviour research and therapy. Volume 147(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Adolescents -- Self-injury -- Suicide -- Digital mental health -- Intervention; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Psychotherapy -- Periodicals; 616.891
• DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103983
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0005-7967

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Across 50 years of research, existing interventions for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) in adolescents have remained largely ineffective and inaccessible. Single-session interventions, interventions designed to last one session, may be a low-cost and timely resource for adolescents engaging in SITBs who may not otherwise receive treatment. Method: 565 adolescents ( M age = 14.95 years) endorsing recent engagement in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) were randomized to receive a 30-min, web-based, single-session intervention—"Project SAVE"—or an active, attention-matched control program. Proximal outcomes were measured at baseline and immediately post-intervention. Long-term outcomes were measured at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Results: Adolescents rated Project SAVE as acceptable; 80% of participants randomized to SAVE completed the intervention. Between-group effects were non-significant for pre-registered outcomes: post-intervention likelihood of future NSSI; 3-month frequencies of NSSI and suicidal ideation at follow-up. Relative to control-group participants, SAVE participants reported short-term improvements in two exploratory outcomes: self-hatred ( d = −.35, p <.001) and desire to stop future NSSI ( d = .25, p = .003). Conclusions: Project SAVE is an acceptable resource for adolescents engaging in SITBs—with short-term effects on clinically-relevant outcomes. Future research may evaluate SAVE as an easy-to-access, short-term coping resource for youth engaging in SITBs. Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT04498143. Highlights: A novel, online intervention targeted non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents. Compared to an active control, the intervention reduced short-term self-hatred. Self-hatred did not significantly differ between study groups at follow-up. Non-suicidal self-injury did not significantly differ between groups at follow-up. Suicidal ideation did not significantly differ between groups at follow-up.