Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Self-Harm and Suicidal Behavior in Youth: A Pilot Study

NCT07450105 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: 946517
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 12
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The prevalence of self-harm and suicidal behavior among adolescents has increased dramatically over the past two decades-a fourfold rise that represents both a severe personal burden and a substantial public health challenge. Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is the gold-standard treatment; however, the standard 20-week format is resource-intensive and time-consuming, which limits accessibility. An intensive 4-week DBT (I-DBT) program has been developed that may improve access and reach a larger number of adolescents. The investigators now seek to evaluate its feasibility and preliminary outcomes. The investigators will assess the feasibility of I-DBT in two to three adolescent groups comprising a total of 8-12 participants and their caregivers in spring and autumn 2026, examining recruitment, feasibility, and outcome measures such as self-harm, suicide attempts, acute hospital admissions, depression, and quality of life, as well as treatment dropout. The investigators aim to use the feedback to make necessary adjustments before broader testing of the I-DBT intervention.

Conditions

Self-Harm, Deliberate; Suicidal Behavior; Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Keywords

deliberate self harm, suicidal behanvor,; adolescents; DBT; Intensive treatment; Borderline Personality Disorder

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation

  The number of self-harm episodes and suicide attempts will be assessed before and after treatment and at 3 months follow-up. Outcome data will be collected using the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation (30). The adolescent interview evaluates presence, frequency, severity, suicidal intent, and medical treatment following self-inflicted injury.

  pre treatment (baseline), post treatment at 4 weeks following baseline, 12 weeks post treatment (3 months follow-up)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire

  pre treatment (baseline), post treatment at 4 weeks following baseline, 12 weeks post treatment (3 months follow-up)

• Kidscreen

  pre treatment (baseline), post treatment at 4 weeks following baseline, 12 weeks post treatment (3 months follow-up)

• Acute hospital admissions related to suicidal behavior

  pre treatment (baseline), post treatment at 4 weeks following baseline, 12 weeks post treatment (3 months follow-up)

Other Outcomes (4)

• Implementation outcomes

  Baseline and 4 weeks post-baseline

• Credibility and Expectancy Scale (CES),

  Assessed immediately following the first treatment session

• Barriers to Treatment Participation Scale (BTPS)

  At the time of treatment refusal or dropout, assessed within 1 week

Study Arms (1)

Single group intervention-Intensive DBT (I-DBT)

OTHER

Single group intervention

Behavioral: Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Interventions

Intensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy BEHAVIORAL

4 weeks intensive DBT that include the same main DBT components: a multifamily skills training group (with a group size of 4-6 youth and their caregiver) and individual sessions. It has a inclusion of digital sessions in I-DBT.

Single group intervention-Intensive DBT (I-DBT)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 14 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Age 14-18 years
• Current or previous self-harm within the past six months
• Current suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation or at least one suicide attempt in the past six months)
• Meets at least three criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) according to DSM-5, or meets the criterion for self-destructive behavior in addition to at least two subthreshold criteria, assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Personality Disorders (SCID-5-PD) (29)
• Sufficient Norwegian language proficiency to participate in group-based treatment
• One parent or another close adult able to participate together with the adolescent

You may not qualify if:

• Intellectual disability
• Significant learning or language difficulties
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Anorexia nervosa
• Psychotic disorder
• Substance use disorder

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Haukeland University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Dept. of child and adolescent psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital

Bergen, Norway

Location

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Self-Injurious Behavior; Borderline Personality Disorder

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Personality Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Gro Janne H Wergeland, MD PhD

  Haukeland University Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2026
• First Posted: March 4, 2026
• Study Start: March 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: April 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

NO (1)