A modified DBT skills training program for oppositional defiant adolescents: promising preliminary findings.
A modified skills training component of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was implemented in a group therapy format for non-suicidal outpatient young adolescents who met criteria for oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Thirty-two youths completed the 16-week program, as well as pre- and post-treatment measures. The treatment was effective not only in decreasing negative behaviors, but also in increasing positive behaviors, per caregiver report. The youths reported a significant reduction in externalizing and internalizing symptoms and in depression. Reliable change indices indicated that far more participants were in the improved category than in the deteriorated category on the measures of interest. Despite the absence of control groups but consistent with the treatment outcome research literature for DBT-based treatments for other disorders, this study demonstrated that DBT skills training is feasible and shows promise in improving the behavior of ODD young adolescents.
Psychology Department, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170, USA. uncgpsy@aol.com
Rosemery O
RO
Nelson-Gray
Susan P
SP
Keane
Ruth M
RM
Hurst
John T
JT
Mitchell
John B
JB
Warburton
James T
JT
Chok
Amanda R
AR
Cobb
D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017028:Caregivers; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D016896:Treatment Outcome