The Feasibility and Preliminary Effects of an Integrated Motivational Interviewing and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (MI-REBT) Intervention on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Emotional Dysregulation, and Readiness for Change Among Malaysian Primary School Students: A Trial Protocol

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) among children and adolescents is an increasingly important mental health concern worldwide, including in Malaysia. NSSI refers to deliberate self-injurious behaviour without suicidal intent and is often associated with emotional distress, maladaptive coping, emotional dysregulation, and interpersonal difficulties. These concerns highlight the need for early, structured, and school-based intervention, particularly among primary school students who may have limited emotional regulation and help-seeking skills.

Despite increasing attention to NSSI, culturally appropriate intervention modules for Malaysian primary school students remain limited. Many existing interventions are developed within Western contexts and may not fully address the developmental, emotional, family, school, and sociocultural needs of Malaysian children. Therefore, this study introduces the MIND-SET Intervention Module, which integrates Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to support emotional regulation, cognitive restructuring, and readiness for behavioural change among students involved in NSSI behaviour.

MI is incorporated to enhance readiness for change, reduce ambivalence, and strengthen intrinsic motivation toward healthier coping behaviours. REBT is used to help participants identify irrational beliefs, challenge maladaptive thinking patterns, and develop healthier emotional and behavioural responses. The integration of MI and REBT is expected to provide a structured, supportive, and developmentally appropriate intervention for school counselling settings.

This study will employ a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design involving three groups. Approximately 105 primary school students aged 12 years from selected schools in Kedah, Malaysia, will participate in the study. Participants will be identified through school mental health screening and NSSI-related assessment procedures. The treatment group will receive the MIND-SET Intervention Module through structured group counselling sessions. The active comparator group will receive the PRISMA Mental Health Module developed by the Ministry of Education Malaysia. The treatment-as-usual group will continue receiving routine school support and normal school activities without participating in any structured intervention module during the study period.

Data will be collected at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up assessment. The study will evaluate changes in NSSI frequency, emotional dysregulation, and readiness for change using validated psychological instruments. Quantitative data analysis will be conducted to examine the feasibility and preliminary effects of the intervention across the three groups.