Group problem-solving skills training for self-harm: randomised controlled trial.
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Authors
McAuliffe, Carmel
McLeavey, Breda C
Fitzgerald, Tony
Corcoran, Paul
Carroll, Bernie
Ryan, Louise
O'Keeffe, Brian
Fitzgerald, Eva
Hickey, Portia
O'Regan, Mary
Issue Date
2014-01-16
Type
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Rates of self-harm are high and have recently increased. This trend and the repetitive nature of self-harm pose a significant challenge to mental health services.
To determine the efficacy of a structured group problem-solving skills training (PST) programme as an intervention approach for self-harm in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) as offered by mental health services.
A total of 433 participants (aged 18-64 years) were randomly assigned to TAU plus PST or TAU alone. Assessments were carried out at baseline and at 6-week and 6-month follow-up and repeated hospital-treated self-harm was ascertained at 12-month follow-up.
The treatment groups did not differ in rates of repeated self-harm at 6-week, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in psychological and social functioning at follow-up. Only one measure (needing and receiving practical help from those closest to them) showed a positive treatment effect at 6-week (P = 0.004) and 6-month (P = 0.01) follow-up. Repetition was not associated with waiting time in the PST group.
This brief intervention for self-harm is no more effective than treatment as usual. Further work is required to establish whether a modified, more intensive programme delivered sooner after the index episode would be effective.
To determine the efficacy of a structured group problem-solving skills training (PST) programme as an intervention approach for self-harm in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) as offered by mental health services.
A total of 433 participants (aged 18-64 years) were randomly assigned to TAU plus PST or TAU alone. Assessments were carried out at baseline and at 6-week and 6-month follow-up and repeated hospital-treated self-harm was ascertained at 12-month follow-up.
The treatment groups did not differ in rates of repeated self-harm at 6-week, 6-month and 12-month follow-up. Both treatment groups showed significant improvements in psychological and social functioning at follow-up. Only one measure (needing and receiving practical help from those closest to them) showed a positive treatment effect at 6-week (P = 0.004) and 6-month (P = 0.01) follow-up. Repetition was not associated with waiting time in the PST group.
This brief intervention for self-harm is no more effective than treatment as usual. Further work is required to establish whether a modified, more intensive programme delivered sooner after the index episode would be effective.
Description
Citation
McAuliffe, C., McLeavey, B. C., Fitzgerald, T., Corcoran, P., Carroll, B., Ryan, L., O'Keeffe, B., Fitzgerald, E., Hickey, P., O'Regan, M., Mulqueen, J., & Arensman, E. (2014). Group problem-solving skills training for self-harm: randomised controlled trial. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science, 204, 383–390. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.111.101816
Publisher
License
Journal
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
Volume
204
Issue
PubMed ID
ISSN
1472-1465