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Dialectical behaviour therapy for younger adults: evaluation of 22 weeks of community delivered dialectical behaviour therapy for females 18–25 years

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2015

J. L. Lyng Open the ORCID record for J. L. Lyng [Opens in a new window] ,
M. A. Swales  and
R. P. Hastings
J. L. Lyng*
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Community Mental Health Services, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
M. A. Swales
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd, UK
R. P. Hastings
Affiliation:
Centre for Educational Development Appraisal and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: J. L. Lyng, Department of Psychology, Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Dublin, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a multi-modal psychological therapy with established efficacy in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD). Younger adults represent a group more likely to drop out of treatment than their older counterparts and treatments specifically targeted at this younger cohort may be advantageous.

The current study

We describe an evaluation of a DBT programme in a mental health centre for younger adults 18–25 years who met criteria for BPD (n=11).

Methodology

We used a simple pre/post-test design, measuring BPD symptoms, general mental health symptoms, and coping skills using self-report questionnaires at the beginning of DBT and again following the delivery of 22 weeks of DBT.

Findings

Statistically significant reductions were found in BPD symptoms and several mental health symptoms alongside an increase in DBT skills use. Dropout was 31% at 22 weeks of treatment. Methodological weaknesses and avenues for future research are discussed.

Keywords

Behaviour therapyborderline personality disorderBPDcommunity mental healthDBTdialecticaldropoutpsychotherapyyounger adult
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 4 , December 2015 , pp. 299 - 305
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2015 

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