Jurnal NERS
Vol. 21 No. 3 (2026): VOLUME 21 ISSUE 3 (AUGUST 2026)

Emotion regulation-based interventions for self-harm, psychological and spiritual well-being: A systematic review

Purbo Asmoro Widagdo (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia)
Meidiana Dwidiyanti (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia)
Anggorowati Anggorowati (Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2026

Abstract

Introduction: Self-harm and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) are major mental health concerns, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Emotion dysregulation is increasingly recognized as a core mechanism underlying self-harming behavior; however, evidence on emotion regulation-based interventions and their effects on psychological and spiritual well-being remains fragmented. Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251232299). Searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for empirical intervention studies published from January 2015 to May 2025. Eligibility was structured using the Population, Intervention, Comparator, and Outcomes framework. Study quality was appraised using design-appropriate tools, including the RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. A narrative synthesis was conducted because of clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Results: The strongest and most consistent evidence was found for dialectical behavior therapy-based and emotion regulation-focused interventions. These approaches generally reduce NSSI frequency, self-harm, suicidal behaviors, and emotion dysregulation. Adolescent studies most strongly supported dialectical behavior therapy for adolescents and internet-delivered emotion regulation individual therapy, whereas adult studies mainly supported emotion regulation group therapy and dialectical behavior therapy skills training. Psychological outcomes improved but remained heterogeneous, whereas spiritual well-being was rarely measured directly. Conclusions: Emotion regulation-based interventions may support mental health nursing care for self-harm prevention, psycho-education, safety planning, and follow-up. Stronger trials with standardized psychological and spiritual outcomes are needed.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JNERS

Publisher

Subject

Nursing

Description

The scope of this journal includes studies that intend to examine and understand nursing health care interventions and health policies which utilize advanced nursing research. The journal also committed to improve the high quality research by publishing analytic techniques, measures, and research ...