Feasibility of dialectical behavior therapy with suicidal and self-harming adolescents with multi-problems: training, adherence, and retention.
We evaluated the feasibility of DBT training, adherence, and retention preparing for a randomized controlled trial of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adapted for Norwegian adolescents engaging in self-harming behavior and diagnosed with features of borderline personality disorder. Therapists were intensively trained and evaluated for adherence. Adherence scores, treatment retention, and present and previous self-harm were assessed. Twenty-seven patients were included (mean age 15.7 years), all of them with recent self-harming behaviors and at least 3 features of Borderline Personality Disorder. Therapists were adherent and 21 (78%) patients completed the whole treatment. Three subjects reported self-harm at the end of treatment, and urges to self-harm decreased. At follow up, 7 of 10 subjects reported no self-harm. DBT was found to be well accepted and feasible. Randomized controlled trials are required to test the effectiveness of DBT for adolescents.
a National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention , University of Oslo , Norway.
A J
AJ
Tørmoen
B
B
Grøholt
E
E
Haga
A
A
Brager-Larsen
A
A
Miller
F
F
Walby
B
B
Stanley
L
L
Mehlum
D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D057566:Self Report; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
adolescents; psychotherapy; self-harm; suicidal behavior; treatment