None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The study investigated the effectiveness of an 8-week group-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training program for adolescents with emerging Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms. A total of 52 eligible participants aged 15–18 were randomized into either a DBT intervention group or a waitlist control group. Standardized measures were used to assess BPD symptoms, emotional regulation, depression, anxiety, stress, suicidal ideation, coping styles, and self-esteem before and after the intervention. Results showed significant improvements in the DBT group across all outcomes, including reduced emotional and behavioral difficulties and enhanced coping and self-esteem. The findings support DBT as an effective non-pharmacological approach for improving adolescent mental health in educational settings.
Interventions
The treatment group attended weekly group-based DBT skills training sessions for a total of 8 weeks. Each session lasted 90 minutes and included a 5-minute mindfulness exercise, a review of the weekly topic, and group discussions. This DBT Skills training program covered five key modules: Basic DBT Skill’s training Introduction, Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
The intervention was based on standardized Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) resou
The treatment group attended weekly group-based DBT skills training sessions for a total of 8 weeks. Each session lasted 90 minutes and included a 5-minute mindfulness exercise, a review of the weekly topic, and group discussions. This DBT Skills training program covered five key modules: Basic DBT Skill’s training Introduction, Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. The intervention was based on standardized Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) resources, including the DBT Skills Manual for Adolescents (Rathus & Miller, 2014), Expanded Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Manual (Pederson & Pederson, 2017), the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training with Adolescents: A Practical Workbook for Therapists, Teens & Parents (Eich, 2020) and DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets (2nd ed.) (Linehan, 2015) were utilized. Participants practiced worksheets during session to support their learning and practice of DBT skills. This intervention consists of eight group based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training for young adults with Borderline Personality symptoms. Each session introduces and practices specific DBT skills: Session 1: Mindfulness Skills Teaching "What" (Observe, Describe, Participate) and "How" (Non-Judgmentally, One-Mindfully, Effectively) skills to enhance present-moment awareness and emotional regulation. Includes Loving-Kindness practice. Session 2: Crisis Survival Skills Strategies for distress tolerance, including Wise Mind ACCEPTS (distraction techniques), self-soothing, improving the moment, half-smile technique, and creative outlets for emotional regulation. Session 3: Reality Acceptance Skills Teaching Pros and Cons evaluation, Radical Acceptance, Turning the Mind, and Willingness to accept and manage difficult emotions and situations. Session 4: Emotional Self-Care & Mastery Focus on physical and emotional well-being through self-care (PLEASE), building mastery, task engagement, and self-recognition of achievements. Session 5: Emotion Regulation Skills Building positive experiences, practicing the opposite action to difficult emotions, and allowing emotions to be experienced and processed healthily. Session 6: Interpersonal Effectiveness Basics Understanding relationship beliefs, balancing independence and support, evaluating interpersonal needs, and practicing skills for effective communication. Session 7: Advanced Interpersonal Effectiveness Enhancing relationships through GIVE skills, assertiveness training (DEAR MAN), and self-respect strategies (FAST). Session 8: Boundaries & Review Setting and evaluating personal boundaries, summarizing learned DBT skills, and reviewing progress in applying them to daily life.
Sponsors
Ms. Ilsa Gul - National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi,
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
15 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Participants will be eligible for the study if they are aged between 15 and 18 years, as this range represents the developmental stage of adolescence. Adolescents under the age of 18 will require parental or guardian consent, ensuring ethical compliance. To accommodate participants already enrolled, individuals who turn 19 during the study will also remain eligible to avoid disruption of their participation. Eligibility will further depend on participants scoring =40 on the Difficulties with Emotion Regulation Scale-16 (DERS-16) (Bjureberg et al., 2016) and/or responding “yes” to seven or more items on the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD) (Zanarini et al., 2003).
Exclusion criteria
Previous participation in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Presence of a hearing impairment that could interfere with their ability to participate. Current experience of serious medical or psychological conditions, as such conditions could confound study outcomes. Acute withdrawal from alcohol or drugs at the time of recruitment.
Outcome results
None listed