The Effect of REBT with the Rational Emotive Imagery (REI) Technique to Reduce Self-Injury in Class X Students of SMK Negeri 6 Medan

Abstract

The focus of this study is to determine the effect of the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) approach using the Rational Emotive Imagery (REI) technique in reducing self-injury behavior among 10th grade students at SMK Negeri 6 Medan. The background of this study is based on the high tendency of adolescents to engage in self-injury as a maladaptive coping mechanism for emotional stress. The research method used was quantitative with a pre-experimental one-group pretest posttest design, involving four students selected through purposive sampling from 65 students. The data collection instrument, a self-injury scale, was analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The result demonstrated a significant reduction in self-injury levels following individual counseling interventions based on the REBT approach and REI technique, with a value of 0.046 (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the REBT  approach with REI techniques is effective in reducing students' self-injury behavior by changing irrational thinking patterns into rational ones, thereby enabling them to manage their emotions more adaptively. This study recommends the application of REI as a counseling strategy in schools to prevent and decrease self-harming behaviors in adolescents, such as self- injury.