This thesis describes the outcomes
of a randomized controlled trial of a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
(CBT) intervention for patients who engage in Deliberate Self-Harm
(DSH). The CBT intervention was designed to supplement usual care
following an episode of DSH. The study involved 90 people (95% females),
aged 15–35 years, who were randomly assigned to CBT in addition to
treatment as usual (TAU) or to treatment as usual only. The main study
hypothesis, that CBT in addition to TAU would be more effective in
reducing repetition of DSH than TAU only, was supported. Furthermore,
those who received CBT in addition to TAU were shown to have
significantly greater reductions in depression, anxiety and suicidal
cognitions, and significantly greater improvements in self-esteem and
problem solving ability. It is reasonable to assume that these positive
findings are attributable to the effect of the CBT, given the random
assignment as well as the absence of between group differences with
respect to demographics, DSH, history of DSH, psychopathology and use of
health care services. It is encouraging that these results are found
for people with recurrent and chronic DSH, with high risk of repetition,
and with high levels of psychiatric co-morbidity.LEI Universiteit LeidenSupport for the study was provided by The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) (contract grant number: 2100.0068).FSW - Self-regulation models for health behavior and Psychopathology - Ou
