Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Transitional Youth: Preliminary Findings

• Published in: Best practices in mental health Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 61 - 76
• Main Author: Rakfeldt, Jaak
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-07-2005
• Subjects: Behavior Modification; Coping; Emotionally Disturbed; Life Stage Transitions; Mental Illness; Treatment Methods; Young Adults; Youth
• ISSN: 1553-555X

This study explored the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for young people aging out of the Department of Children & Families system. The project was conducted with participants at a residential program for "transitional youth" who have serious emotional disturbance & emerging mental illness (N=15). The research method combined a posttest-only comparison group design, with pretest-posttest observations for the DBT group. The research question explored the efficacy of DBT for this population, & used a mixed-method approach combining both quantitative & qualitative data collection. All participants received individual therapy, with 24/7 wraparound residential services. The DBT intervention consisted of an additional two hours of weekly skills-training groups. The mean length of exposure to the DBT intervention was 12.4 months. The quantitative measures included the Modified Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, & the Purposeful Productive Activity & Quality of Life Scale. The qualitative portion of the study involved semi-structured interviews & focus groups. Members of the DBT group improved from pretest to posttest, & when judged against the comparison group improvement was in terms of global functioning, social relationships, & productive use of time or "intentionality," but not in terms of vocational functioning. The qualitative data suggest that DBT group members used the groups to work on specific interpersonal relationship, emotion regulation, & distress tolerance skills, as well as to get feedback & support from others in the group. The potential implications of these findings for clinical practice may be to suggest DBT as a promising, evidence-based intervention for this vulnerable & heretofore under-served population. 4 Tables, 2 Figures, 33 References. Adapted from the source document.