title: Mentalization-based treatment for self-harm in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether mentalization-based treatment for adolescents (MBT-A) is more effective than treatment as usual (TAU) for adolescents who self-harm.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 80 adolescents (85% female) consecutively presenting to mental health services with self-harm and comorbid depression were randomly allocated to either MBT-A or TAU. Adolescents were assessed for self-harm, risk-taking and mood at baseline and at 3-monthly intervals until 12 months. Their attachment style, mentalization ability and borderline personality disorder (BPD) features were also assessed at baseline and at the end of the 12-month treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MBT-A was more effective than TAU in reducing self-harm and depression. This superiority was explained by improved mentalization and reduced attachment avoidance and reflected improvement in emergent BPD symptoms and traits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MBT-A may be an effective intervention to reduce self-harm in adolescents.
authors.affiliation: North East London National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, London, UK. trudie.rossouw@nelft.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Trudie I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Rossouw
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fonagy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D056345:Theory of Mind; D016896:Treatment Outcome