Comparative Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and a Psychoeducational Package on Self-Harming Behaviors and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Female Students with a Tendency toward Substance Use

Niazi Mirak, Zhila; Narimani, Mohammad; Aghajani, Seyfollah; Atadkht, Akbar

doi:10.48307/FMSJ.2026.30.4.439

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Volume 30, Issue 4 (Bimonthly 2026)

Feyz Med Sci J 2026, 30(4): 439-452

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Comparative Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and a Psychoeducational Package on Self-Harming Behaviors and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Female Students with a Tendency toward Substance Use

Zhila Niazi Mirak

, Mohammad Narimani ^*

, Seyfollah Aghajani

, Akbar Atadkht

Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran , narimani@uma.ac.ir

Abstract: (267 Views)

Background and Aim: Adolescence is characterized by extensive biological, cognitive, and emotional changes, and heightened emotional sensitivity during this period can predispose adolescents to high-risk behaviors. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and a psychoeducational package on self-harming behaviors and intolerance of uncertainty among female students with a tendency toward substance use.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest–posttest design with a control group. Forty-five female students at risk of substance use were randomly assigned to three groups of 15. The intervention groups received twelve 90-minute sessions. The interventions consisted of either Dialectical Behavior Therapy or a psychoeducational package. The control group received no intervention. Research instruments included the Addiction Tendency Questionnaire, the Inventory of Statements about Self-Injury (ISAS), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS).
Results: Both interventions significantly reduced intolerance of uncertainty at posttest compared with the control group (P<0.01), and no significant difference was observed between the two interventions (P>0.05). At follow-up, only the psychoeducational package maintained a significant difference from the control group (P<0.01), whereas Dialectical Behavior Therapy did not differ significantly from the control group (P>0.05); this finding indicates greater long-term durability of the effect of the psychoeducational package.
Conclusion: In this study, the short-term school-based interventions did not significantly reduce self-harming behaviors. However, both approaches were effective in improving tolerance of uncertainty, and the psychoeducational package demonstrated a more sustained effect at follow-up. Therefore, self-harm requires more comprehensive and individualized treatments.

Keywords: Adolescent girls, Substance use tendency, Self-harming behaviors, Intolerance of uncertainty, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Psychoeducational package

Type of Study: Research | Subject: medicine, paraclinic
Received: 2026/07/12 | Revised: 2026/10/5 | Accepted: 2026/09/16 | Published: 2026/10/4

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‎ 10.48307/FMSJ.2026.30.4.439

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Niazi Mirak Z, Narimani M, Aghajani S, Atadkht A. Comparative Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and a Psychoeducational Package on Self-Harming Behaviors and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Female Students with a Tendency toward Substance Use. Feyz Med Sci J 2026; 30 (4) :439-452
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