Effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy skills training group for adults with borderline personality disorder

Sharon L Heerebrand; Jemma Bray; Christine Ulbrich; Rachel M Roberts; Suzanne Edwards

doi:10.1002/jclp.23134

Effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy skills training group for adults with borderline personality disorder

J Clin Psychol. 2021 Jul;77(7):1573-1590. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23134. Epub 2021 Apr 5.

Authors

Sharon L Heerebrand¹, Jemma Bray², Christine Ulbrich², Rachel M Roberts¹, Suzanne Edwards³

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
² Eastern Community Mental Health, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Tranmere, South Australia, Australia.
³ School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

PMID: 33821506
DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23134

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training Group (DBT-ST) component of DBT.

Method: Participants (N = 114) attended an 18-20-week DBT-ST. The study utilized a quasi-experimental design with a within-persons control group for a measure of borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms (at referral), and emergency department (ED) presentations, and psychiatric bed-days (both assessed for 6 months pre- and post-intervention). Primary outcomes were the number of BPD symptoms, psychological distress, depression, rate of ED presentations, and psychiatric inpatient bed-days.

Results: After completing DBT-ST, participants had reduced BPD symptoms, psychological distress, and depression (p < 0.001). The waitlist control group showed no improvement in BPD symptoms (p = 0.085). The rate of ED presentations was reduced (p = 0.001). There was no reduction in psychiatric inpatient bed-days (p = 0.160), likely due to insufficient power.

Conclusions: DBT-ST participation in addition to treatment-as-usual is an effective treatment for people with BPD.

Keywords: borderline personality disorder; dialectical behavior therapy; emergency department; service utilization; treatment.

MeSH terms

Adult
Behavior Therapy
Borderline Personality Disorder* / therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy*
Humans
Psychological Distress*
Research Design
Treatment Outcome