Creating a Training Package to Reduce Self-Injurious Behaviors, Based on the Lived Experiences of Teenagers Suffering From Self-Injurious Behaviors

The present study aimed to develop and validate an educational program designed to reduce self-injurious behavior (SIB) among adolescents. This program was developed based on the real-life experiences of adolescents who engage in self-harming behaviors. Employing a qualitative research approach, specifically the phenomenological method, the study encompassed all adolescents displaying self-harming behaviors in Shiraz city. The sampling process was deliberate, with the sample size determined by reaching a point of theoretical saturation. Ultimately, the perspectives of 15 adolescents (comprising 8 girls and 7 boys) were actively incorporated into the development of this educational and therapeutic package. This process involved the formulation of a model based on their lived experiences, which consisted of three core themes and 13 sub-themes. The end result was an educational-therapeutic package specifically designed to mitigate self-harming behaviors. The content validity of this educational-therapeutic package was assessed and confirmed using the content validity (Lawshe method). Importantly, this package holds significant potential for use in implementing educational and therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing self-harming behaviors among adolescents. These interventions can be effectively delivered within the context of schools, counseling centers, and educational institutions.