Page 61 - JCBP-3-4

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Seeking common ground while reserving differences

1. Introduction Some Chinese scholars have suggested incorporating
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idioms, family precepts, enlightenment textbooks, and
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to the deliberate other contents as entry points for developing culturally
destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal localized research of CBT. Therefore, it is of great
intent, serving as a maladaptive coping mechanism for significance to explore psychotherapeutic approaches
individuals to manage intolerable negative emotions that resonate with the personality characteristics of
or psychological distress. This behavior is frequently Chinese individuals and reflect traditional cultural
1,2
employed by adolescents as an emotional regulation values. 16-18 The concept of seeking common ground
strategy to alleviate acute affective states such as anger, while reserving differences (SCGWRD) is deeply rooted
anxiety, and loneliness. Although potentially effective for in China’s rich traditional culture and offers profound
transient mood modulation, chronic engagement in NSSI wisdom for managing differences and resolving conflicts.
paradoxically exacerbates psychological and behavioral It emphasizes finding common interests or consensus
maladjustment and substantially increases suicide risk while accommodating and respecting differences, and
over time. Epidemiological studies have identified NSSI using commonalities to promote the development of
3,4
as a prevalent phenomenon among adolescents, with relationships in a positive direction while preserving the
data indicating both high incidence rates and an upward positions of all parties, ultimately leading to harmonious
trajectory in reported cases. These clinical characteristics coexistence. SCGWRD is not only a form of interpersonal
5
have established NSSI as a critical area of investigation wisdom but also a cognitive way to effectively manage
within contemporary medical research, particularly given interpersonal conflicts arising from differences in values,
its implications for adolescent mental health outcomes and stances, or habits. It provides useful guidance for fostering
suicide prevention initiatives. 6 harmonious interpersonal relationships. Parent–child
Psychotherapy is currently the treatment of choice conflict has been identified as both a risk and maintenance
for adolescent NSSI. Scholars reveal that current factor for adolescents with NSSI. 19-21 Therefore, the present
psychotherapies for adolescents with NSSI mainly include study introduces a psychotherapeutic intervention for
dialectical behavior therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy adolescents with NSSI based on the SCGWRD concept.
7
(CBT), emotion regulation individual therapy for The entire treatment process consists of eight sessions,
8
adolescents, and acceptance and commitment therapy each lasting 90 min (Table 1 for treatment steps).
9,10
(ACT). In May 2023, Chinese scholars published a
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12
study in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific 2. Methods
demonstrating that Western-derived psychotherapeutic 2.1. Design
techniques have not adequately addressed NSSI issues This study constitutes a qualitative, inductive, exploratory,
among Chinese adolescents. The research emphasizes the and descriptive interview-based investigation involving
necessity for expanded clinical implementation and large- adolescents with NSSI who underwent cognitive
scale investigations to establish effective interventions restructuring through the SCGWRD therapeutic
aimed at mitigating the impact of NSSI on Chinese framework. Prior to conducting the interviews, written
demographics. informed consent was obtained from both participants and
This shortfall may be related to the fact that these their legal guardians. The study protocol received ethical
psychotherapeutic techniques were developed within a approval from the Ethics Committee of Zhongshan Third
Western cultural context and lack applicability to Chinese People’s Hospital (SSYLL-KY-20240510). Oral or written
adolescents with NSSI, who are shaped by an Eastern informed consent was obtained from all participants
cultural background. This is because the core principles prior to interviews. All procedures were carried out in
and operational guidelines of Western psychotherapeutic accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Interviews
techniques are grounded in individualistic values that were conducted from April to December 2024.
emphasize personal autonomy, self-efficacy, and individual
development. However, such values may not align with 2.2. Sample size and study setting
Chinese collectivist culture, where the needs of the group In this qualitative study, a semi-structured interview
often take precedence over individual desires. 13,14 Thus, outline was developed in accordance with the purpose
indigenized psychotherapeutic techniques may hold of the study. The number of interviewees and the point
the key to addressing the problem of NSSI in Chinese of interview termination were determined based on the
adolescents. In the face of current problems, drawing principle of information saturation, that is, when no
strength from traditional culture may provide practical new information emerged. Participants were recruited
solutions to these contemporary issues. from hospitalized patients who had received SCGWRD

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2025) 55 doi: 10.36922/JCBP025090014