Purpose: This randomized controlled trial examined solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) effectiveness for reducing self-handicapping behaviors among Turkish high school students during the 2018–2019 academic year. Methods: Forty-five students (aged 14–16) scoring above 1 SD on the Self-Handicapping Scale were randomly assigned to SFBT intervention (n = 15), placebo control (n = 15), or waiting list groups (n = 15). The experimental group received 6 weekly 60-min SFBT sessions. Assessments occurred at pretest, posttest, and 6-week follow-up. Results: No significant between-group differences emerged at posttest (χ2 = 3.588, p > .05). However, significant differences favoring experimental group appeared at follow-up (χ2 = 6.212, p < .05), particularly versus placebo (U = 34.50, p = .016, r = .46). Within-group analyses showed significant reductions for experimental group from pretest to follow-up (Z = −2.555, p < .05, r = .74). Discussion: SFBT effectively reduced self-handicapping with delayed benefits, supporting strength-based school approaches for at-risk adolescents.
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