None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has been proven to be an efficacious treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) (Linehan, 1993; McMain et al., 2009). However, generalisability of this outcome within adolescents and young adults with co-morbid substance abuse and mental health concerns within a residential care setting in Australia has not been investigated. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of a Modified Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group Program embedded within a residential program in treating adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 24 years, experiencing substance misuse over time compared to a control group that did not receive the DBT Group Program. The secondary aim is to identify the factors that predict who is most likely to benefit from such treatment, particularly in terms of improved vocational outcomes (employment and education). Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of this modified DBT program will be evaluated. Finally, client and therapist satisfaction will also be explored through the study. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the DBT program in treating young people with co-morbid substance abuse and mental health concerns – one of the most difficult cohorts to treat – is an important first step in improving mental health care for this population. This research will advance the knowledge in the field by providing evidence for the importance of continuously improving service and quality person-centred care, taking into account factors that could contribute to positive treatment outcomes. This project will be conducted at Triple Care Farm (TCF, Mission Australia in partnership with the University of Wollongong (UOW).
Interventions
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) in treating young people with co-morbid substance abuse and mental health concerns. This DBT group program is embedded within Mission Australia Triple Care Farm (TCF), a residential rehabilitation program for young people aged 16-24 years.
The intervention is a skills-based therapeutic group program delivered over the course of 12 weeks plus residential milieu. The group program integrates drug and alcohol treatme
This study will evaluate the effectiveness of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) in treating young people with co-morbid substance abuse and mental health concerns. This DBT group program is embedded within Mission Australia Triple Care Farm (TCF), a residential rehabilitation program for young people aged 16-24 years. The intervention is a skills-based therapeutic group program delivered over the course of 12 weeks plus residential milieu. The group program integrates drug and alcohol treatment with DBT principles, developing emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, mindfulness, distress tolerance, drug refusal, and relapse prevention. It is designed to address the complex needs of this population including high levels of poly substance use, comorbid mental illness, service access including acute hospital services, and risk taking behaviour including suicide and violence. The DBT component consists of a group therapy program, accompanied by a facilitator manual, participant workbook, and website (www.dbtregulator.com.au). The residential milieu setting is an 18-bed program which incorporates the general principles of milieu treatment. The treatment model is a 12-week holistic psychosocial rehabilitation program based on harm minimisation and health promotion. This 12-week program is followed up with community aftercare. The DBT treatment program is embedded within the overall residential milieu. Within the milieu there were general worker-resident activities throughout the day and evening designed to provide therapeutic containment and safety whilst seeking to generalise the use of skills learnt in the DBT program. The wider residential milieu also included individual counselling, principles from psychoeducation, motivational interviewing for substance use and criminality, relapse prevention, strengths-based work, and drug education.
Sponsors
Triple Care Farm, Mission Australia
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to 24 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Triple Care Farm is a youth rehabilitation facility for young people between the ages of 16-24 years, with substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness and family breakdown. TCF specialises in treating young people who also are suffering with mental health issues, however, this is not a requirement of entry. The inclusion/exclusion criteria are outlined below: The young person must: 1) Be aged between 16 and 24 2) Have problematic drug and alcohol use; problematic drug and alcohol use is daily or near daily use and use of multiple types of drugs 3) Be able to participate in all aspects of the program; participants must be physically, developmentally and mentally capable of participating in all activities 4) Demonstrate commitment to undertake the program, as assessed at interview; TCF is voluntary – participants cannot be forced to attend or participate 5) Must be an Australian resident, currently residing in Australia
Exclusion criteria
1) Not aged between 16 and 24; Participants can’t enter before their 16th birthday and must complete the program before their 25th birthday 2) Not able to participate in all aspects of the program; participants that are not physically, developmentally and mentally capable of participating in all activities
Outcome results
None listed