The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) on Reducing Self-Harming Behaviors in Juvenile Offenders in Tehran's Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Centre

The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of DBT on reducing self-harming behaviors in juvenile offenders who resided in Tehran's Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Centre. This study was semi-experimental (pretest-posttest with control group). The sample consisted of 30 juvenile offenders aged 12 to 18 years who resided in Tehran's Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Centre. Klonsky and Glenn's Inventory of Statements about SelfInjury (ISAS) was used to collect pretest-posttest data. After the pretest, the experimental group was treated with the dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program. This program was held in 10 weekly ninety-minute sessions. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis (ANCOVA).The results showed that DBT was effective on reducing selfharming behaviors of juvenile offenders who resided in Tehran’s Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center. Moreover, the effect of DBT on reducing intrapersonal and interpersonal functions of selfharming behaviors of juvenile offenders was confirmed.