Group schema therapy for adolescents with borderline symptoms

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized, controlled intervention in which about 64 adolescents (aged 15–18) are assigned to either group schema therapy or treatment as usual. The therapy follows the Farrell & Shaw group schema model and includes 30 group sessions, 8 individual sessions, and parent group meetings, with an experiential VideoTalk component using self-recorded videos. Participants are recruited from the Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic at Turku University Hospital and must meet at least three SCID-II criteria for borderline personality disorder; those with psychosis, serious suicide risk, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, or primary substance use disorders are excluded. Outcomes compare symptom change and functioning between the schema therapy and usual-care groups over the course of the intervention.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* The participant fulfills at least three diagnostic criteria for borderline personality disorder as assessed by means of the SCID-II structured clinical interview
* The participant and the participant's parent(s) are able to commit to the research protocol for the entire duration of the study
* The participant is able to participate in a research intervention in Finnish and fill out the study questionnaires in Finnish

Exclusion Criteria:

* The participant currently has psychotic symptoms or a serious risk of suicide
* The participant has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder
* The main clinical diagnosis of the participant is a substance abuse disorder or substance use would endanger commitment to the research intervention
* The participant has another illness or symptom that endangers the participant's ability to complete the study
* The participant receives some other treatment specifically aimed at borderline personality disorder symptoms

Where it's running

• Turku University Hospital
  Turku, Southwest Finland, Finland Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Max Karukivi, MD, PhD — University of Turku
• Study coordinator: Max Karukivi, MD, PhD
• Email: max.karukivi@utu.fi
• Phone: +358 2 313 0000

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.