Randomised controlled trial of a brief theory-based online intervention to reduce self-harm

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• Forming 'if-then' plans is an established method for reducing self-harm in hospitalized individuals.
• A significant need exists to evaluate digital interventions for self-harm prevention in broader community settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if an online 'if-then' planning intervention can prevent future self-harm in a large community sample of adults with a history of self-harm.
• To assess the intervention's impact on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 1040 UK adults comparing a self-harm reduction intervention with a sedentariness control intervention.
• Participants were stratified to ensure population representativeness and outcomes were assessed at baseline and 6 months.
• Primary outcomes included NSSI, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.

Main Results:

• The online intervention did not significantly reduce the frequency of NSSI, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts.
• While most participants formed implementation intentions, the intervention showed limited effectiveness.
• A significant interaction was found for reflective motivation, with lower levels in the control group at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The web-based intervention has limited utility for reducing self-reported self-harm or suicidal ideation in adults with a history of self-harm.
• Further research is required to enhance the effectiveness of brief, community-based interventions for self-harm.
• Understanding the specific conditions influencing intervention effectiveness is crucial for future development.