Anita Johanna Tørmoen

• Essletzbichler, Amy Gaglia; Bierman, Miriam; Skuza, Magdalena; Češková, Natálie & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2026). Case study: The DBT implementation journey of dialectical behaviour therapy in five European countries. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 13(1). doi: 10.1186/s40479-026-00359-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background This paper is a narrative review of the implementation trajectories Dialectical Behaviour Therapy in five countries, the UK, Germany Norway, Poland, and the Czech Republic in Europe over the past 30 years. The aim of this comparison is to identify common and divergent systems levels facilitators and hindrances of DBT implementation. Methods DBT experts in each respective country were asked to provide a narrative account of their country’s implementation journey. Histories were then considered in accordance with existing DBT implementation frameworks. Results Common themes emerged such as the importance national guidelines on evidence-based treatment shape implementation, university affiliations promote dissemination, implementation and research activities, national societies help to create standards. Conclusion There are common DBT implementation trajectories that exist across geography and nationally specific mental health care systems. The discussion of the refining of national DBT practices based on emerging literature and the importance of outcomes of implementation such as therapists’ behaviour or client related outcome data adds to existing information.

• Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Galfalvy, Hanga; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Haga, Egil & Mehlum, Lars (2026). Does Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for adolescents affect suicidal ideation and use of coping skills in adulthood? A 12.4-years follow-up study of a Randomized Trial using Ecological Momentary Assessment. Behaviour Research and Therapy. ISSN 0005-7967. 203. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2026.105091. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehlum, Lars; Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Haga, Egil; Helle, Sofie Egidius; Morken, Katharina Teresa Enehaug & Klungsøyr, Ole [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Adult life outcomes for adolescents 12.4 years after dialectical behavior therapy - a randomized clinical trial. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 1018-8827. doi: 10.1007/s00787-025-02856-w. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Adolescents with suicidal and self-harming behavior run significant risk for suicide. Outcomes in adult life after specialized treatment for this population are unknown. We examined adult life outcomes in adolescents with recurrent suicidal and self-harming behavior and borderline features having participated in a randomized trial of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT-A) or enhanced usual care (EUC). Of the original 77 study participants, 61 (79%) were followed-up at a mean age of 28 years, an average of 12.4 years post-baseline. Primary outcomes were frequency of self-harm episodes and levels of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms over the follow-up intervals. Secondary outcomes were borderline symptoms, psychiatric morbidity, occupational and psychosocial functioning. Self-harm frequency was consistently lower throughout the 12.4 year follow-up period in participants who had received DBT-A, although differences were not statistically significant at the final follow-up. Whereas suicide attempts were infrequent in both groups, self-harm episodes were more than twice as common in the EUC group compared to the DBT-A group with a mean difference of 90 episodes per person from baseline to 12.4 years follow-up. DBT-A was associated with significantly stronger reductions in suicidal ideation, depressive and borderline symptoms at end of treatment but differences tapered off until not statistically significant at the final follow-up. There were no significant trend differences in current psychiatric morbidity, self-reported depressive symptoms and global functioning. This first study of adult life outcomes of specialized psychosocial interventions for adolescents with recurrent suicidal and self-harming behavior and borderline features suggests that adolescents may have a realistic hope of sustained recovery as adults.

• Ødegård, Kristoffer Bele; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Klungsøyr, Ole; Mehlum, Lars; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Walby, Fredrik A. (2026). Discharge from mental health service admissions as a short-term causal risk factor for suicide: A case-crossover study. Journal of Psychiatric Research. ISSN 0022-3956. 194, p. 180–180. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.01.004. Full text in Research Archive
• Walby, Fredrik A & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2025). Selvmordsproblematikk og selvskading hos barn og ungdom. Psykisk oppvekst Rådet for psykisk helse. doi: https:/psykiskhelse.no/psykiskoppvekst/utviklingsarenaer-og-overganger/selvmordsproblematikk-og-selvskading-hos-barn-og-ungdom/. Full text in Research Archive
• Folmo, Espen Jan; Garred, Susanne; Gough, Elina Maisey; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Oddli, Hanne Berit Weie (2025). Unfolding the Micro-processes Characterizing the Therapeutic Alliance in DBT and MBT. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy. ISSN 0022-0116. 56(1), p. 39–47. doi: 10.1007/s10879-025-09685-7. Full text in Research Archive
• Espenes, Kristin; Keles, Serap; Waaler, Pamela Marie; Kjøbli, John & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2025). Improving adolescent outcomes in residential care: preliminary outcomes of a dialectical behavior therapy-informed treatment model. Children and Youth Services Review. ISSN 0190-7409. 180. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108703. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Adolescents in residential youth care (RYC) often present with complex mental health needs, including trauma symptoms, emotion dysregulation, and self-harm. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has shown promise in addressing these challenges, yet evidence for its implementation in RYC remains limited. Objective This pre-post pilot study examined preliminary outcomes of the Care and Development Model (CDM), a DBT-informed intervention adapted for RYC. Method Forty-two adolescents (Mage = 15.13, SDage = 1.41; 47.6 % female), along with caregivers and milieu staff, participated. CDM included skills-training group, individual sessions, milieu-based coaching, and staff consultation team meetings. Assessment included pre-intervention trauma symptoms, and pre- and post-intervention assessments of emotion regulation, DBT skill use, suicidality/self-harm, and internalizing/externalizing problems. Post-hoc analyses included reliable change indices and shifts in clinical range. Results At admission, adolescents reported elevated PTSD symptoms, with significantly higher scores among females (d = –1.48). Improvements varied across domains. Caregiver reports showed clinically significant reductions in Total Problems (d = –0.98) and Externalizing problems (d = –1.11). Adolescents reported modest improvements in DBT-WCCL Blaming Others (d = –0.54) and reduced suicidal ideation. Nearly half (48 %) reported using DBT distress tolerance skills. Therapists rated 81.6 % of adolescents as “very much” or “much” improved, though correlations with adolescent-reported outcomes were modest. Conclusion Findings suggest that DBT-informed care in RYC holds promise, particularly for addressing externalizing behavior and suicidality. However, variability across outcomes and informants highlights the complexity of implementation and the need for ongoing refinement of DBT adaptations in residential settings.

• Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Klungsøyr, Ole; Morken, Katharina Teresa Enehaug; Haga, Egil & Dymbe, Kine Johansen [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Early remission of deliberate self-harm predicts emotion regulation capacity in adulthood: 12.4 years follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of adolescents with repeated self-harm and borderline features. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 1018-8827. p. 1–12. doi: 10.1007/s00787-024-02602-8. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Emotion regulation capacity, critical for adult functioning and mental health, develops strongly during adolescence in healthy individuals. Deficits in emotion regulation is often referred to as emotion dysregulation [ED] and is associated with various mental health problems, including repeated deliberate self-harm [DSH] which peaks in adolescence. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for adolescents [DBT-A] systematically targets ED through strategies such as changing coping behaviours and has previously been shown to effectively induce DSH remission in adolescents. However, whether such remission is associated with improved emotion regulation capacity in adulthood, and whether this effect is mediated by changes in use of coping strategies has not been previously studied. Prospective long-term follow-up study of an RCT comparing DBT-A with enhanced usual care [EUC] for adolescents presenting to community child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics with borderline personality features and repeated self-harm. Assessments included both structured interviews and self-report at baseline and 1.6, 3.1 and 12.4 years follow-up. In the final follow-up, adult ED was measured and data were collected for 61 (80%) of the original 77 participants. DSH remission was assessed at 1.6 years follow-up, and use of coping strategies at 3.1 and 12.4 years follow-ups. A mediation analysis was conducted within a causal inference framework. Both treatment groups increased their use of functional coping skills from adolescence to adulthood, while only DBT-A was associated with decreases in dysfunctional coping. There was a direct effect of DSH remission 1 year after treatment on adult ED, particularly for participants who did not receive DBT-A. There was a negative association between reductions in dysfunctional coping and adult ED, however this did not mediate the effect of DSH remission. This is the first study to report that early DSH remission in adolescence predicted lower ED in adulthood. These results highlight the importance of early DSH remission and provides new insight into the long-term relationship between DSH and ED. Clinical trial registration information: “Treatment for Adolescents with Deliberate Self-harm”; http://ClinicalTrials.gov/;NCT00675129

• Espenes, Kristin; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Rognstad, Kristian; Nilsen, Karianne Hammerstrøm; Waaler, Pamela Marie & Wentzel-Larsen, Tore [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Effect of Psychosocial Interventions on Children and Youth Emotion Regulation: A Meta-Analysis. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research. ISSN 0894-587X. doi: 10.1007/s10488-024-01373-3. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  To investigate the effect of psychosocial interventions on emotion regulation outcomes in children and youth (0–23 years). We conducted a meta-analysis using a three-level modeling approach extracting multiple effect-sizes from experimental and quasi-experimental studies. We included 40 interventions from 35 publications involving 3,891 participants and extracted 258 posttreatment effect sizes. Analyses were performed to assess intervention effects on emotion regulation, moderating effects of inclusion of acceptance focus and other potential moderators. Additionally, we examined intervention effects on mental health outcomes. Interventions showed a significant small-to-medium effect on emotion regulation (d = 0.37, 95% CI [0.22, 0.51], p < .001). Similar effects on were found regardless of acceptance-focus. Interventions significantly associated with a higher level of effect (p ≤ 0.045) included ACT, DBT, CBT and behavior parent training interventions. Significant small-to-medium effects were found for mental health outcomes (d = 0.39, 95% CI [0.25, 0.53], p < .001), with a correlation of .56 between overall outcomes across domains. Meta-regression results indicated that psychosocial interventions are moderately effective in improving emotion regulation, with no significant difference in inclusion of acceptance-focus. Findings suggest that emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic process that may inform the development of more beneficial interventions.

• Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Klungsøyr, Ole; Haga, Egil & Mehlum, Lars (2023). Trajectories and Predictors of Change in Emotion Dysregulation and Deliberate Self-Harm Amongst Adolescents with Borderline Features. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry. ISSN 1359-1045. 29(2), p. 407–423. doi: 10.1177/13591045231177374. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Deliberate self-harm (DSH) and emotion dysregulation (ED) peaks in adolescence, and is associated with an increased risk of psychopathology, suicide and lower functioning in adulthood. DBT-A has been established as an effective treatment for reducing DSH, however less is known about changes in emotion dysregulation. This study aimed to identify baseline predictors of treatment response in outcome trajectories of DSH and emotion dysregulation. Methods Response trajectories of DSH and ED were investigated using Latent Class Analysis on RCT data comparing DBT-A and EUC for 77 adolescents treated for deliberate self-harm and borderline traits. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine baseline predictors. Results Two-class solutions were selected for both indicators, distinguishing between early and late responders in DSH, and responders and non-responders in ED. Higher levels of depression, shorter DSH histories and not receiving DBT-A predicted less favourable response in DSH, while DBT-A was the only predictor of treatment response in ED. Conclusions DBT-A was associated with a significantly faster reduction of deliberate self-harm in the short-term and improved emotion regulation in the long-term.

• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Kildahl, Anine Therese; Walby, Fredrik A & Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete (2023). A nationwide study on time spent on social media and self-harm among adolescents. Scientific Reports. 13. doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-46370-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Self-harm among adolescents has increased in many countries, but few studies have examined possible explanations. One explanation could be the changes in the way adolescents socialize and use of social media. We explored the relationship between past year self-harm and time spent on social media, employing data from a nationwide cross-sectional survey among students in grades 8 through 11 in Norway (N = 37,268). The association was estimated in logistic regression models and we adjusted for identified confounders and stratified on gender, age group and depressive symptoms. A total of 16.1% of the study population reported to have self-harmed in the past year. This proportion was elevated among those spending more than 3 h daily on social media (unadjusted OR = 2.74 (CI 2.58.–2.90)). Adjustment for confounders modified the association (OR = 1.49 (CI 1.39–1.60)). In stratified analyses, adjusted OR did not differ significantly by gender or age The association between time spent on social media and self-harm was weaker among adolescents with severe depressive symptoms (adjusted OR = 1.38 (CI 1.22–1.55)), than among those with mild or no symptoms (adjusted OR = 1.70 (CI 1.56–1.86)). Risk of self-harm was elevated among those who spent 3 or more hours daily on social media, also after controlling for other factors. Further studies are needed to explore the nature and underlying mechanisms of this association. Strengthening the evidence will help informing the development of adequate measures to prevent self-harm.

• Larsen, Stian Slotnes; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Myhre, Martin Øverlien (2023). Behandling av selvskading- viktigheten av flere funksjonelle tilnærminger. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.10545. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Utbredelsen av selvskading er økende, har omfattende skadepotensial og medfører betydelige kostnader for enkeltpersoner og samfunnet. Unge ned i 13-årsalderen rapporterer om aktiv selvskading. Det er likevel få tilnærminger som adresserer selvskading direkte, selv om dette hevdes å være nødvendig for å oppnå bedring. Å forstå hvorfor enkelte påfører seg selv skade, er en viktig del av det å komme i posisjon til å redusere både hyppighet og alvorlighet av selvskading. Det er derfor viktig at det finnes effektive behandlinger som kan ta utgangspunkt i årsakene til denne atferden. En funksjonell forståelse, der man både ser på årsakene til at den enkelte påfører seg selv skade, og hvilke ferdigheter vedkommende mangler for å løse problemer på en mer akseptabel måte, mener forfatterne er en løsning. I den forbindelse trekkes det frem en tilnærming som baserer seg på en funksjonell forståelse av selvskading – Treatment of Self-Injurous Behavior (T-SIB). Hovedmomentene ved denne behandlingstilnærmingen presenteres og generelle prinsipper for atferdsendring drøftes. Dialektisk atferdsterapi (DBT) pekes også kort på i denne forbindelsen, da T-SIB bygger på prinsipper fra DBT.

• Espenes, Kristin; Waaler, Pamela Marie; Keles, Serap; Helland, Siri Saugestad; III, Henry Schmidt & Kjøbli, John [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Implementing a Residential Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed Treatment Model to Improve Adolescent Mental Health: Feasibility, Fidelity, and Acceptability. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth. ISSN 0886-571X. doi: 10.1080/0886571X.2022.2090481. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an outpatient treatment that addresses severe emotional and relational difficulties and is successfully applied across diagnoses, populations, and settings. In this feasibility study, we examined a residential DBT-informed treatment model in Norway, the Care and Development Model (CDM), aimed to improve adolescent mental health outcomes. Study participants included 42 adolescents (22 males and 20 females) with a mean age of 15.13 years (SD = 1.41, range 13–17 years), as well as the adolescents’ caregivers and residential staff. Data collection lasted from May 2018 until May 2021 and combined standardized self-report measures of program feasibility and acceptability, including treatment satisfaction and alliance, as well as customized program fidelity measures combining on-site observation and interviews with adolescents and staff, protocol data on treatment characteristics, and self-report checklists for treatment adherence. Results indicate that residential staff consider the implementation of CDM appropriate, but also distinct challenges were mentioned regarding the population and setting. Moderate to high satisfaction and alliance levels were reported by both adolescents and therapists. The CDM program shows promise and may be feasible and acceptable, although considerable effort to implement it is required. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Walby, Fredrik A; Grøholt, Berit & Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete (2020). Change in prevalence of self-harm from 2002 to 2018 among Norwegian adolescents. European Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1101-1262. 30(4), p. 688–692. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckaa042. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Self-harm is prevalent among adolescents and associated with mental health problems and negative life-events. Few studies have examined changes in its prevalence related to these factors. This study explored whether changes in prevalence of self-harm among adolescents had occurred, and to what extent changes in associated factors may have contributed. Two cross-sectional school-based surveys among adolescents (grades 8–10) in Norway were conducted in 2002 (N = 5842) and in 2017/18 (N = 29 063). Past year prevalence of self-harm and identical variables on risk factors was analyzed in hierarchical logistic regression to examine whether and to what extent changes in self-harm correlates could explain periodical change in prevalence of self-harm. An increase from 4.1% to 16.2% in self-harm prevalence was observed from 2002 to 2017/18. The increase was relatively larger among girls compared to boys and among 8th graders compared to 10th graders. Among the assessed risk factors for self-harm, depressive symptoms increased, while anti-social behavior, exposure to violent acts and drinking to intoxication decreased. The increase in depressive symptoms contributed to explain increase in self-harm. This contribution was outweighed by the decrease in other risk factors. Self-harm prevalence increased 4-fold among Norwegian adolescents over a 15-year period. While exposure to several risk factors for self-harm changed substantially in this period, these risk factors could in sum not explain any of the increase in self-harm.

• Mehlum, Lars; Ramleth, Ruth-Kari; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Haga, Egil; Diep, Lien My & Stanley, Barbara [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2019). Long term effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy versus enhanced usual care for adolescents with self-harming and suicidal behavior. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. ISSN 0021-9630. 60(10), p. 1112–1122. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.13077. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Knowledge is lacking on the long‐term outcomes of treatment for adolescents with repetitive suicidal and self‐harming behavior. Furthermore, the pathways through which treatment effects may operate are poorly understood. Our aims were to investigate enduring treatment effects of dialectical behavior therapy adapted for adolescents (DBT‐A) compared to enhanced usual care (EUC) through a prospective 3‐year follow‐up and to analyze possible mediators of treatment effects. Methods Interview and self‐report data covering the follow‐up interval were collected from 92% of the adolescents who participated in the original randomized trial. Trial registration number: NCT01593202 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov). Results At the 3‐year follow‐up DBT‐A remained superior to EUC in reducing the frequency of self‐harm, whereas for suicidal ideation, hopelessness and depressive and borderline symptoms and global level of functioning there were no inter‐group differences, with no sign of symptom relapse in either of the participant groups. A substantial proportion (70.8%) of the effect of DBT‐A on self‐harm frequency over the long‐term was mediated through a reduction in participants’ experience of hopelessness during the trial treatment phase. Receiving more than 3 months follow‐up treatment after completion of the trial treatment was associated with further enhanced outcomes in patients who had received DBT‐A. Conclusions There were on average no between‐group differences at the 3‐year follow‐up in clinical outcomes such as suicidal ideation, hopelessness, depressive and borderline symptoms. The significantly and consistently larger long‐term reduction in self‐harm behavior for adolescents having received DBT‐A compared with enhanced usual care, however, suggests that DBT‐A may be a favorable treatment alternative for adolescents with repetitive self‐harming behavior.

• Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Strømgren, Børge & Walby, Fredrik A (2018). Tre generasjoner klinisk atferdsanalyse. Norsk Tidsskrift for Atferdsanalyse (NTA). ISSN 0809-781X. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Atferdsanalyse i behandling av kliniske problemer – som angst eller depresjon – har de siste årene fått fornyet oppmerksomhet som ledd i videreutviklingen av mindfulness-basert atferdsterapi. Målet med artikkelen er å oppsummere den historiske utviklingen til klinisk atferdsanalyse, samt gi en kort aktuell oversikt over behandlingsformer i klinisk atferdsanalyse. Først presenteres den historiske utviklingen av klinisk atferdsanalyse gjennom tre generasjoner med atferdsterapi. Vi gir en kortfattet innføring i de mest sentrale behandlingsformene i tredje generasjons atferdsterapi med fokus på Dialektisk atferdsterapi, Atferdsaktivering, Aksept og forpliktelsesterapi og Funksjonell analytisk psykoterapi. Deretter vil tredje generasjons atferdsterapi oppsummeres i tre sentrale kjennetegn: Mindfulness, bruk av funksjonelle analyser sammen med pasienten, og etablering av verdi-baserte atferdsrepertoar. Avslutningsvis diskuterer vi behov for forskning som kan forbedre klinisk utforming og den empiriske støtten til klinisk atferdsanalyse i fremtiden.

• Haga, Egil; Aas, Eline; Grøholt, Berit; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Mehlum, Lars (2018). Cost-effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy vs. enhanced usual care in the treatment of adolescents with self-harm. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health (CAPMH). 12(1). doi: 10.1186/s13034-018-0227-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Studies have shown that dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is effective in reducing self-harm in adults and adolescents. Aims To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of DBT for adolescents (DBT-A) compared to enhanced usual care (EUC). Methods In a randomised study, 77 adolescents with repeated self-harm were allocated to 19 weeks of outpatient treatment, either DBT-A (n = 39) or EUC (n = 38). Cost-effective analyses, including estimation of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios, were conducted with self-harm and global functioning (CGAS) as health outcomes. Results Using self-harm as effect outcome measure, the probability of DBT being cost-effective compared to EUC increased with increasing willingness to pay up to a ceiling of 99.5% (threshold of € 1400), while with CGAS as effect outcome measure, this ceiling was 94.9% (threshold of € 1600). Conclusions Given the data, DBT-A had a high probability of being a cost-effective treatment.

• Mehlum, Lars; Ramberg, Maria; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Haga, Egil; Diep, Lien My & Stanley, Barbara [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2016). Dialectical behavior therapy compared with enhanced usual care for adolescents with repeated suicidal and self-harming behavior: outcomes over a one-year follow-up. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 0890-8567. 55(4), p. 295–300. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2016.01.005. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehlum, Lars; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Ramberg, Maria; Haga, Egil; Diep, Lien My & Sund, Anne Mari [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2014). Dialektisk atferdsterapi for ungdommer med gjentatt suicidal og selvskadende adferd : en randomisert kontrollert undersøkelse. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. 19(3), p. 15–23. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.2268. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Grøholt, Berit; Haga, Egil; Brager-Larsen, Anne Trana; Miller, Alec L & Walby, Fredrik A [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2014). Feasibility of dialectical behavior therapy with suicidal and self-harming adolescents with multi-problems: training, adherence and retention. Archives of Suicide Research. ISSN 1381-1118. 18(4), p. 432–444. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2013.826156. Full text in Research Archive
• Grøholt, Berit; Haga, Egil; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Ramberg, Maria & Mehlum, Lars (2014). Screening for selvksading i barne- og ungdomspsykiatriske poliklinikker - erfaringer fra rekruttering til en randomisert kontrollert studie. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. 19(3), p. 24–29. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.2269. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehlum, Lars & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2014). Hva er dialektisk atferdsterapi? En kort oversikt. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. 3. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.2266. Full text in Research Archive
• Haga, Egil; Grøholt, Berit; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Aas, Eline & Mehlum, Lars (2014). Økonomisk evaluering av behandling for ungdom med villet egenskade - hvorfor og hvordan? Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. 19(3), p. 30–35. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.2270. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Rossow, Ingeborg; Mork, Erlend & Mehlum, Lars (2014). Contact with child and adolescent psychiatric services among self-harming and suicidal adolescents in the general population: A cross sectional study. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health (CAPMH). 8(13). doi: 10.1186/1753-2000-8-13. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Studies have shown that adolescents with a history of both suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm report more mental health problems and other psychosocial problems than adolescents who report only one or none of these types of self-harm. The current study aimed to examine the use of child and adolescent psychiatric services by adolescents with both suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm, compared to other adolescents, and to assess the psychosocial variables that characterize adolescents with both suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm who report contact. Data on lifetime self-harm, contact with child and adolescent psychiatric services, and various psychosocial risk factors were collected in a cross-sectional sample (response rate = 92.7%) of 11,440 adolescents aged 14–17 years who participated in a school survey in Oslo, Norway. Adolescents who reported any self-harm were more likely than other adolescents to have used child and adolescent psychiatric services, with a particularly elevated likelihood among those with both suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm (OR = 9.3). This finding remained significant even when controlling for psychosocial variables. In adolescents with both suicide attempts and non–suicidal self-harm, symptoms of depression, eating problems, and the use of illicit drugs were associated with a higher likelihood of contact with child and adolescent psychiatric services, whereas a non-Western immigrant background was associated with a lower likelihood. In this study, adolescents who reported self-harm were significantly more likely than other adolescents to have used child and adolescent psychiatric services, and adolescents who reported a history of both suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-harm were more likely to have used such services, even after controlling for other psychosocial risk factors. In this high-risk subsample, various psychosocial problems increased the probability of contact with child and adolescent psychiatric services, naturally reflecting the core tasks of the services, confirming that they represents an important area for interventions that aim to reduce self-harming behaviour. Such interventions should include systematic screening for early recognition of self-harming behaviours, and treatment programmes tailored to the needs of teenagers with a positive screen. Possible barriers to receive mental health services for adolescents with immigrant backgrounds should be further explored.

• Mehlum, Lars; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Ramberg, Maria; Haga, Egil; Diep, Lien My & Laberg, Stine [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2014). Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents With Repeated Suicidal and Self-harming Behavior: A Randomized Trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. ISSN 0890-8567. 53(10), p. 1082–1091. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2014.07.003. Full text in Research Archive
• Fadum, Elin Anita; Stanley, Barbara; Rossow, Ingeborg; Mork, Erlend; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Mehlum, Lars (2013). Use of health services following self-harm in urban versus suburban and rural areas: a national cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 3(7:e002570). doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002570. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  OBJECTIVES: This study examines whether there is a difference between urban versus suburban and rural adolescents in their use of health services following two types of self-harm distinguished as self-harm with or without suicide intent. SETTING: A nationwide cross-sectional school survey of 11 406 Norwegian adolescents aged 13-19 years in 73 Norwegian junior and senior high schools. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescents who reported self-harm and provided valid responses to a follow-up question about having received subsequent help or treatment (n=959) were included in the study. Adolescents were divided into urban versus suburban and rural depending on: (1) the location of municipalities where they attended school and (2) the place of residence. Associations between urban versus suburban and rural areas and the use of health services following self-harm were assessed in those who self-harmed with and without suicide intent. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE: Use of health services following self-harm. RESULTS: 1 in 4 adolescents reported using health services following self-harm. Adolescents reporting self-harm with suicide intent were more likely to use health services than those who self-harmed without suicide intent. Following self-harm without suicide intent, adolescents in urban areas were four times more likely to use health services than adolescents in suburban and rural areas. There was no statistically significant area difference in the use of health services following self-harm with suicide intent. CONCLUSIONS: This study found a geographical variation in the use of health services following self-harm without suicide intent, but not following self-harm with suicide intent. Differences in perception of self-harm and help-seeking behaviour between areas and different accessibility to services are suggested as possible explanations. There is a need to better understand how the interplay between individual characteristics and accessibility to services influences adolescents' use of health services following self-harm. We suggest that multilevel models are a valuable approach to achieve this goal.

• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Rossow, Ingeborg; Larsson, Bo Sture & Mehlum, Lars (2012). Nonsuicidal self-harm and suicide attempts in adolescents: differences in kind or in degree? Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. ISSN 0933-7954. 48(9), p. 1447–1455. doi: 10.1007/s00127-012-0646-y. Full text in Research Archive

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• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2025). Implementation of DBT in Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Bertelsen, Tone Enge (2025). DBT-PTSD-ferdighetsbasert eksponeringsterapi ved kompleks PTSD med dissosiasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Bertelsen, Tone Enge (2025). DBT-PTSD – erfaringer med ferdighetsassistert eksponering for pasienter med selvmordsatferd og dissosiasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2025). DBT i fengsel - en egnet tilnærming? Full text in Research Archive
• Syversen, Anne Mari; Wergeland, Gro Janne Henningsen; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Schønning, Viktor (2025). Evaluation of DBT-A in routine clinical practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Mehlum, Lars; Ødegård, Kristoffer Bele; Stornes, Marthe & Kvalstad, Gjertrud (2025). The fairy tale of DBT in Norway - from a clinical trail to a large-scale training program. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; LEVE; Aareskjold, Lisa & power, jane brynestad (2025). De som dør og de som lever videre. Full text in Research Archive
• Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Klungsøyr, Ole; Haga, Egil; Morken, Katharina Teresa Enehaug & Dymbe, Kine Johansen [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Remisjon av selvskading hos ungdommer predikerte bedre emosjonsregulering i voksen alder. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. 30(1). doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.12350. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Emotion regulation capacity, which is critical for adult functioning and mental health, develops strongly during adolescence in healthy individuals, whereas deficits in emotion regulation is often referred to as emotion dysregulation [ED] and is associated with various mental health problems, including repeated deliberate self-harm [DSH], which peaks in adolescence. Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents [DBT-A] has previously been shown to effectively induce DSH remission in adolescents. The present study aimed to investigate whether such remission was associated with reduced ED in adulthood, and whether this effect was mediated by reductions in dysfunctional coping. The design was a prospective longterm follow-up study of an RCT comparing DBT-A with enhanced usual care [EUC] for adolescents with borderline personality features and repeated self-harm. The original sample consisted of 77 adolescents, of which 61 were assessed in adulthood, 12.4 years later. The results showed that there was a direct effect of DSH remission one year after treatment on adult ED, although this effect was not mediated by changes in coping. This is the first study to report that early DSH remission in adolescence predicted lower ED in adulthood, and highlights the importance of early DSH remission and provides new insight into the long-term relationship between DSH and ED.

• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2024). Når et viktig mål er å få pasienten til å gjennomføre behandling: En introduksjon til DBT ved emosjonell ustabilitet med eller uten kompleks traumehistorikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2024). Å beholde balansen når en jobber med pasienter med selvmordsproblematikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehlum, Lars & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2024). Hvordan går det med ungdommene når de blir voksne? Kvantitative og kvalitative resultater fra en langtidsoppfølging etter DBT. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Bertelsen, Tone Enge (2024). Dialektisk atferdsterapi ved kompleks PTSD - erfaringer fra en implementeringsstudie. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Røssberg, Jan Ivar; Aasland, Line & Mehlum, Lars (2024). SINCERITY WITH A CATCH: YOUNG ADULTS EARLIER TREATED FOR SELF-HARM LOOKING BACK AT THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERIENCES. Full text in Research Archive
• Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Mehlum, Lars; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Klungsøyr, Ole & Haga, Egil (2024). Behaviour matters: The significance of early remission of deliberate self-harm in adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Espenes, Kristin & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2023). Gjennomførbarhet og aksept av en DBT-informert behandlingstilnærming for ungdom i barnevernsinstitusjoner. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. Full text in Research Archive
• Larsen, Stian Slotnes; Myhre, Martin Øverlien & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2023). Behandling av selvskading - viktigheten av flere funksjonelle tilnærminger. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. Full text in Research Archive
• Espenes, Kristin; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Keles, Serap; Kjøbli, John; Helland, Siri Saugestad & Waaler, Pamela Marie (2023). Omsorgs – og Endringsmodellen (OEM): En DBT-informert miljøterapeutisk tilnærming i barnevernsinstitusjoner Teori og forskning. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Undervisning for Mastergradsstudenter.

• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2022). The practice of DBT teams during the pandemic: A national survey of DBT programs. Full text in Research Archive
• Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Løkke, Jon Arne (2022). Dialektisk Atferdsterapi. In Haugland, Silje; Berge, Ulf; Gjermestad, Anita; Høium, Kari & Løkke, Jon Arne (Ed.), Kunnskapsbasert miljøterapeutisk arbeid. Universitetsforlaget. ISSN 9788215053165. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2022). Dialektisk atferdsterapi – fra læringsteori til allianse og kompleks PTSD. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Kildahl, Anine Therese; Walby, Fredrik A & Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete (2022). Time spent on social media: a risk factor for self-harm in adolescence? A nationwide study. Full text in Research Archive
• Espenes, Kristin; Waaler, Pamela Marie; Keles, Serap; Helland, Siri Saugestad; Schmidt, Henry & Kjøbli, John [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Emosjonsregulering blant ungdom i barnevernet – funn fra en metaanalyse og en implementeringsstudie av en institusjonstilpasset DBT-informert modell i barnevernsinstitusjoner. Full text in Research Archive
• Espenes, Kristin; Waaler, Pamela Marie; Keles, Serap; Helland, Siri Saugestad; Schmidt, Henry & Kjøbli, John [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Implementing a Residential Dialectical Behavior Therapy Informed Treatment Model to Improve Adolescent Mental Health: Feasibility, Fidelity, and Acceptability. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2021). Selfharm among adolescents-treatment and prevention. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2021). DBT ferdighetene - en introduksjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Walby, Fredrik A; Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete & Kildahl, Anine Therese (2021). Time spent on social media: a risk factor for self-harm in adolescence? A nationwide cross-sectional study. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2021). Selvskading på sosiale medier - hva vet vi og hva kan vi gjøre? Full text in Research Archive
• Walby, Fredrik A; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Mehlum, Lars (2020). En korreksjon. Tidsskrift for Norsk psykologforening (Psykologtidsskriftet). ISSN 0332-6470. 57(6). Full text in Research Archive
• Qin, Ping; Legard, Ingunn; Walby, Fredrik A; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Mehlum, Lars (2020). Selvmordsrisiko og -forebygging under covid-19-pandemien og etterpå. 25(1), p. 14–19. doi: 10.5617/suicidologi.8271. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Covid-19-pandemien vil trolig ha omfattende og langvarigeeffekter på psykisk helse i befolkningen, og en økning iforekomst av selvmord og villet egenskade kan bli enkonsekvens. Det er behov for økt oppmerksomhet rettetmot selvmordsforebygging.

• Walby, Fredrik A; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Kildahl, Anine Therese & Mehlum, Lars (2020). Myter og fakta om selvmordsforebygging. 57(4), p. 295–297. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Walby, Fredrik A; Grøholt, Berit & Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete (2019). Change in prevalence of Self-harm from 2002-2018 among Norwegian adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Myhre, Martin Øverlien; Walby, Fredrik A; Grøholt, Berit & Rossow, Ingeborg Margrete (2019). Trender i selvskading blang ungdom over en femtenårsperiode i Norge. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2019). Dialektisk Atferdsterapi - forskning og behandling. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2019). Ferdigheter du kan bruke selv. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Kvalstad, Gjertrud (2019). DBT - en innføring. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2019). Selvmordsforebygging- utfordringer og initiativer i Norge:. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2019). Om selvskading. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Walby, Fredrik A & Myhre, Martin Øverlien (2019). Selvskading siste år hos elever i ungdoms- og videregående skole - Resultater fra Ungdata undersøkelsen 2017/2018. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2018). Adolescents with repeated suicidal and self-harming behavior treated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy or Enhanced Usual Care: Skills Use. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2018). Adolescents with repeated suicidal and self-harming behavior treated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy or Enhanced Usual Care: Ways of Coping two years after treatment. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2017). Erfaringer fra siste års selvmordsbølger, tiltak som ble utført og videre planer. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2017). Veiledende materiell for kommunene om forebygging av selvskading og selvmord - erfaringer så langt. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2017). Fra identifikasjon til tilpasset behandling. Selvskading blant ungdom. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehlum, Lars; Ramberg, Maria; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Haga, Egil; Diep, Lien My & Stanley, Barbara [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2015). Dialectical Behavior Therapy Compared With Enhanced Usual Care for Adolescents with Repeated Suicidal and Self-harming Behavior: Outcomes over a 1-year Follow-Up. Full text in Research Archive
• Mehlum, Lars; Ramberg, Maria; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Haga, Egil; Diep, Lien My & Stanley, Barbara [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2015). One year follow-up of Dialectical Behavior Therapy vs. Enhanced Usual Care for Self-harming Adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Haga, Egil; Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Aas, Eline; Mehlum, Lars & Grøholt, Berit (2015). Cost-effectiveness of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) vs Enhanced Usual care in the treatment of adolescents With self-harm. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2014). Utfyllende manual for DBT tilpasset ungdom. Suicidologi. ISSN 1501-6994. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2013). STRONG ENOUGH With Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Development and Acceptability of an Advanced Skills Group for Adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2013). Use of Mental Health Services among Students who Self-harm. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2013). Feasibility of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)With Suicidal and Self-harming Adolescents: Training, Adherence and Retention. Full text in Research Archive
• Mork, Erlend & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2008). DIALEKTISK ATFERDSTERAPI FOR UNGDOM SOM SELVSKADER. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna & Mork, Erlend (2008). Dialektisk atferdsterapi for ungdom som skader seg selv med vilje. Full text in Research Archive
• Walby, Fredrik A. & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2008). Dialektisk atferdsterapi. Full text in Research Archive
• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna; Larsson, Bo & Mehlum, Lars (2008). Psychosocial risk factors and help-seeking behaviour related to type and repetition of suicide-related behaviours among Norwegian adolescents. Full text in Research Archive
• Dibaj, Iselin Solerød; Mehlum, Lars & Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2025). Long-term change in adolescents treated for deliberate self-harm and borderline features: Exploring the role of emotion dysregulation. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 9788234806247. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Deliberate self-harm (DSH) peaks during adolescence and is associated with an increased risk of future suicide attempts and mental health problems. DSH can effectively be treated in adolescents, however, the long-term effects of such treatment in adulthood remained unknown when this study was conducted. To date, the treatment that has received the most empirical support in DSH treatment is Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A). The main aim of this PhD thesis was to examine adult life outcomes after DBT-A, both when it came to DSH as well as other outcomes, including suicidal ideation, and emotion regulation ability. The specific papers focused on treatment effects, response trajectories, and mechanisms of change. The study was a follow-up study of an RCT conducted 12 years earlier, comparing DBT-A with usual care for adolescents with repetitive DSH and features of borderline personality disorder. The sample was examined with structured interviews and self-report questionnaires at baseline, 1-, 3- and 12-years follow-up. At the final follow-up, participants also reported data through Ecological Momentary Assessment, by receiving short questionnaires six times daily on their phones over a week. DBT-A was associated with earlier and more robust reduction of DSH, however the difference between the groups diminished over time, and DSH was rarely reported in adulthood across the whole sample. As adults, the majority were either working or studying, and suicide attempts were rare. Moreover, DBT-A was associated with less suicidal ideation in adulthood. DBT-A participants also reported lower negative affect after having used coping skills in their daily life. Finally, remission of DSH one year after treatment was associated with better emotion regulation ability in adulthood. Overall, the findings in this thesis highlight the importance of early targeted intervention and suggest an optimistic long-term prognosis for adolescents who are treated for DSH, extending beyond symptom remission.

• Tørmoen, Anita Johanna (2017). Self-Harm among Adolescents: From Identification to Tailored Treatment. Universitetet i Oslo. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2014.07.003. Full text in Research Archive

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