The effects of group nursing intervention based on emotion regulation training on depression and nonsuicidal self-injury in adolescents

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a group nursing intervention based on emotion regulation training in improving depressive symptoms, emotional regulation ability, and the frequency and severity of NSSI behaviors among adolescents. Additionally, the intervention's safety and patient satisfaction were evaluated. METHODS: A total of 240 adolescents diagnosed with depressive disorder and NSSI who received treatment across departments of a tertiary veterans' hospital in Baoding, China, from January 2022 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were grouped post hoc on the basis of the type of nursing care documented in their records: 120 patients received standard pharmacological treatment combined with supportive nursing care (control group), and 120 patients additionally received a group-based emotion regulation training program (intervention group). The intervention lasted 8 weeks, with weekly 90-minute sessions including modules on emotional awareness, cognitive restructuring, group sharing, and breathing/mindfulness relaxation. RESULTS: After 8 weeks, the CDI score (from 29.1 ± 4.9 to 13.2 ± 3.6) was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (from 28.7 ± 5.2 to 19.5 ± 4.4; t = 6.45, P < 0.001). The total ERQ score increased more substantially in the intervention group (from 25.1 ± 4.5 to 33.8 ± 3.7) than in the control group (from 25.4 ± 4.3 to 29.5 ± 3.9; t = 7.02, P < 0.001). Weekly NSSI episodes decreased from 2.4 ± 0.7 to 0.5 ± 0.3 in the intervention group, whereas NSSI episodes in the control group decreased from 2.2 ± 0.6 to 1.3 ± 0.4 (t = 5.12, P < 0.001). NSSI severity scores decreased from 1.8 ± 0.6 to 0.4 ± 0.3 in the intervention group and from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 0.9 ± 0.4 in the control group (t = 6.11, P < 0.001). Nursing satisfaction was significantly greater in the intervention group (4.6 ± 0.4) than in the control group (3.8 ± 0.5; t = 8.17, P < 0.001). No serious adverse events occurred in either group. CONCLUSION: Grouping nursing interventions based on emotion regulation training was associated with alleviation of depressive symptoms, greater emotional regulation capacity, and lower frequency and severity of NSSI behaviors among adolescents, suggesting a potential beneficial role that warrants further prospective validation.