@article{ref1,
title="Group problem-solving skills training for self-harm: Randomised controlled trial",
journal="British journal of psychiatry",
year="2014",
author="McAuliffe, Carmel and McLeavey, Breda C. and Fitzgerald, Tony and Corcoran, Paul and Carroll, Bernie and Ryan, Louise and O'Keeffe, Brian and Fitzgerald, Eva and Hickey, Portia and O'Regan, Mary and Mulqueen, Jillian and Arensman, Ella",
volume="204",
number="",
pages="383-390",
abstract="BACKGROUND: 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. AIMS: 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. METHOD: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0007-1250",
doi="10.1192/bjp.bp.111.101816",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.111.101816"
}