Efficacy of a Mentalization-Based Group Intervention for High-Reactance Adolescents: A Randomized Trial

Purpose Reactance peaks during adolescence, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. This study examined whether a mentalization-based group intervention (MBI-G) could reduce reactance and aggression among adolescents. Method 60 high-reactance adolescents (33 girls, aged 11–15) from junior high schools in Beijing were randomly assigned to either a six-session weekly MBI-G or a school-based psychoeducational control group. Measures of mentalization, reactance, and aggression were collected at pre-intervention, mid-intervention, and post-intervention. Results Significant Time × Group interactions emerged for mentalization ( p = .027) and reactance ( p = .003). The intervention group showed greater improvements in mentalization and more substantial decreases in reactance than the controls. Post-intervention aggression was also significantly lower in the intervention group ( p = .033). Analysis showed that increases in mentalization from baseline to mid-intervention mediated the intervention's effect on reductions in reactance from baseline to post-intervention. Discussion MBI-G appears effective in reducing adolescent reactance by enhancing mentalization.