TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2014//
TI  - Group problem-solving skills training for self-harm: Randomised controlled trial
JO  - British journal of psychiatry
A1  - McAuliffe, Carmel
A1  - McLeavey, Breda C.
A1  - Fitzgerald, Tony
A1  - Corcoran, Paul
A1  - Carroll, Bernie
A1  - Ryan, Louise
A1  - O'Keeffe, Brian
A1  - Fitzgerald, Eva
A1  - Hickey, Portia
A1  - O'Regan, Mary
A1  - Mulqueen, Jillian
A1  - Arensman, Ella
SP  - 383
EP  - 390
VL  - 204
IS  - 
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0007-1250
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.111.101816
ID  - ref1
ER  -