Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-Based Chatbot for Non-suicidal Self-Injury in Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a self-guided digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for adolescents who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). The intervention is delivered through a mobile-based program and consists of seven modules focusing on acceptance, cognitive defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values, and committed action. Adolescents will complete the intervention over a 3-week period and will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition. The study will examine whether the digital ACT intervention can reduce NSSI and improve psychological flexibility and other indicators of mental health, including depression, anxiety, hope, and emotion regulation.

Inclusion Criteria: * Be adolescents aged 10-19 years (Sawyer et al., 2018). * Have engaged in five or more self-injurious behaviors within the past year and meet the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). * Provide assent to participate, with written informed consent obtained from both the adolescent and their legal guardian. * Have access to a smartphone capable of completing the study procedures, including logging into the study mini-program to complete the self-guided intervention and sending and receiving text messages. Exclusion Criteria: * Have an intellectual disability or other significant cognitive, neurodevelopmental, or visual impairment that may interfere with their ability to complete the study procedures. * Have a severe physical illness. * Be experiencing an acute episode of a severe mental disorder, such as a manic episode of bipolar disorder. * Have experienced suicidal ideation or a suicide attempt within the past month. * Do not have access to a smartphone or are unable to use one to complete the study procedures.