Comparing the Effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Affective Control in Adolescents with Self-Injurious Behaviors

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the difference in the effectiveness of Mentalization-Based Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy on affective control in adolescents with self-injurious behaviors. This applied study used a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest structure, including a control group and a follow-up phase. The statistical population consisted of adolescent girls with self-injurious behaviors referred to counseling centers in Tehran during the second half of 2024. A total of 45 participants were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). The experimental groups received 12 sessions of Mentalization-Based Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, respectively, while the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Affective Control Scale and analyzed using MANOVA, repeated measures ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests in SPSS-26. The results of repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the main effects of group (p<0.05), time (p<0.05), and the interaction effect of group × time (p<0.05) on affective control were significant. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons revealed that both experimental groups showed significant improvements compared to the control group at posttest and follow-up stages (p<0.05), with Mentalization-Based Therapy demonstrating greater effectiveness than Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Both therapeutic interventions were effective in improving affective control in adolescents with self-injurious behaviors; however, Mentalization-Based Therapy showed superior effectiveness, suggesting its greater utility as an intervention targeting deeper cognitive–affective processes.