Dealing with Feelings: the effectiveness of cognitive behavioural group treatment for women in secure settings.
BACKGROUND
Women in secure psychiatric settings have gender specific treatment needs. The current study examined the feasibility of a Dealing with Feelings Skills Group training for dual diagnosis women admitted to a medium secure setting.


METHODS
A pre-test--post-test design was used to evaluate a group programme adapted from dialectical behaviour therapy skills training.


RESULTS
Most patients had a primary diagnosis of personality disorder. Treatment completers (n = 29) were compared with non-completers (n = 15). Clinically significant changes in treatment completers were apparent on coping response measures of positive reappraisal, problem solving and alternative rewards; on measures of anxiety and suicidality; on self-reported ability to engage in activities to reduce negative mood and to recognize mood changes. Self-harming and aggressive behaviours also reduced in the 3 months following group treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
An adapted coping skills component of DBT benefit many dual diagnosis patients: issues related to treatment drop-out and failure to benefit are discussed.
St Andrew's Healthcare, and King's College London, St Andrew's Academic Centre, Northampton, UK. clong@standrew.co.uk
Clive G
CG
Long
Barbara
B
Fulton
Olga
O
Dolley
Clive R
CR
Hollin
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004644:Emotions; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011340:Problem Solving; D011594:Psychometrics; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D012201:Reward; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012637:Security Measures; D012649:Self Concept; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012737:Sex Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D055815:Young Adult