Development of an Intervention for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Young Adults

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), deliberate harm to the body without suicidal intent, is highly prevalent in young adults, with 1 in 10 college students engaging in over 100 episodes in their lifetimes. Consequences of NSSI are severe, including physical injury ranging in medical severity, distress from shame associated with the behavior, social isolation, psychological symptoms, and increased risk and lethality of NSSI over time. Despite the prevalence and significant consequences of NSSI, no empirically supported treatments specific to NSSI exist. The purpose of this study is to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention specifically for NSSI in young adults, the Treatment for Self-Injurious Behaviors (T-SIB). This time-limited intervention will integrate theoretically-based strategies whose utility has been identified through empirical research with the goal of reducing frequency and severity of NSSI. The research plan consists of 2 phases. During Phase 1, 12 patients will be treated in an open pilot trial. During Phase 2, 60 patients will be treated in a randomized controlled pilot study to determine the feasibility and acceptability of T-SIB, investigate change in NSSI frequency and severity between T-SIB and treatment as usual (TAU) through a 3-month follow up period, and evaluate the research design of the randomized controlled pilot study to inform both the utility and design of a larger randomized clinical trial.