Integrated Motivational Interviewing and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Intervention for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Malaysian Primary School Students: A Feasibility Trial Protocol

NCT07627061 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: UUM/CAS/AHSGS/MI-REBT-NSSI/202
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 105
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of the MIND-SET Intervention Module, an integrated Motivational Interviewing and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (MI-REBT) intervention, among Malaysian primary school students involved in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) behaviour. The module is designed to reduce self-injurious behaviour, improve emotional regulation, and enhance readiness for change among 12-year-old students in school settings. This study will use a quasi-experimental design involving three groups: a MIND-SET intervention group, a PRISMA Mental Health Module group, and a treatment-as-usual group. Data will be collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up stages using validated psychological instruments. The findings are expected to support the development of culturally responsive, school-based mental health interventions for children involved in NSSI behaviour in Malaysia.

Conditions

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury; Emotional Dysregulation

Keywords

Non-suicidal self-injury; NSSI; Primary school students; Children; Emotional dysregulation; Readiness for change; Motivational Interviewing; Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy; School counselling; Malaysia; MIND-SET Intervention Module

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Frequency

  Measured using the translated version of the Six-Item Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Instrument (Prinstein et al., 2010). The instrument consists of the frequency of self-injury behavior using a 5-point scale: 0 (never), 1 (1-2 times), 2 (3-5 times), 3 (6-9 times), and 4 (10 times or more). Scores range from 0 to 4 per item. A higher score indicates a higher frequency of non-suicidal self-injury behavior (worse outcome).

  Baseline (Week 0), 4 weeks after baseline (Week 4), and 16 weeks after baseline (Week 16).

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Emotional Dysregulation

  Baseline (Week 0), 4 weeks after baseline (Week 4), and 16 weeks after baseline (Week 16).

• Change in Readiness for Change

  Baseline (Week 0), 4 weeks after baseline (Week 4), and 16 weeks after baseline (Week 16).

Study Arms (3)

MIND-SET Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive the MIND-SET intervention module integrating Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) approaches through structured group counselling sessions conducted in school settings.

Behavioral: MIND-SET Intervention Module

Standard School Counselling Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive the PRISMA Mental Health Module developed by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM), which represents the standard structured mental health intervention currently implemented in schools.

Behavioral: PRISMA Mental Health Module

Treatment as Usual Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this group will continue receiving routine school support and normal school activities without participating in any structured intervention module during the study period.

Interventions

MIND-SET Intervention Module BEHAVIORAL

A structured school-based intervention module integrating Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) approaches to reduce Non-Suicidal Self-Injury behaviour, improve emotional regulation, and enhance readiness for change among Malaysian primary school students through group counselling sessions.

MIND-SET Intervention Group

PRISMA Mental Health Module BEHAVIORAL

A structured school-based mental health intervention module developed by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (KPM) implemented as the standard care benchmark for students.

Standard School Counselling Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• Primary school students aged 12 years old.
• Students identified with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) behaviour through school mental health screening and assessment procedures.
• Able to understand and participate in group counselling sessions.
• Written informed consent obtained from parents or guardians.
• Assent obtained from participating students.

You may not qualify if:

• Students currently receiving intensive psychiatric treatment or psychological -intervention for severe mental health conditions.
• Students identified with active suicidal intent requiring immediate clinical intervention.
• Students with severe cognitive or developmental impairments that may interfere with participation in group intervention activities.
• Students who are unable to attend the scheduled intervention sessions consistently.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universiti Utara Malaysia: lead
• Ministry of Education, Malaysia: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Selected Primary Schools in Kulim District

Kulim, Kedah, 09000, Malaysia

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Self-Injurious Behavior

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Charles Ganaprakasam

CONTACT

60164323453; ganaprakasamcharles@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: This study uses an open-label design because participants and facilitators will be aware of the intervention received during the implementation of the school-based counselling module.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PhD Candidate / Principal Investigator

Model Details: Participants will be assigned into three groups consisting of one treatment group and two control groups. The treatment group will receive the MIND-SET intervention module integrating Motivational Interviewing and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy approaches, while the control groups will receive standard school counselling intervention or no intervention. Outcomes will be assessed across pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 23, 2026
• First Posted: June 4, 2026
• Study Start: August 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2026
• Last Updated: June 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

MY (1)