Effectiveness of DBT Partial Hospitalization Program for Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Objective

This study examined the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) for adolescents and young adults.

Method

In the present study, 146 patients (mean age = 17.5) in a DBT PHP completed surveys assessing suicidality, difficulties in emotion regulation, depression, and anxiety, as well as effective coping skills on their admission and discharge from the program.

Results

After a 20-day course of intensive DBT programming, patients showed statistically significant decreases, associated with mostly medium and large effect sizes, in suicidal behaviors, depression, anxiety, stress, and emotion dysregulation. Patients also showed significant increases in the use of mindfulness and functional coping skills.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the significant effects of intensive-level (PHP) DBT delivered over a relatively brief period to adolescents and young adults with severe difficulties. Future studies should explore DBT impact on additional treatment targets and identify the strongest predictors of improved outcomes.

Keywords:

• Dialectical behavior therapy
• partial hospitalization program
• adolescents and young adults
• emotion regulation
• suicidal behaviors

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Esther S. Tung

Esther S. Tung, PhD, is a staff psychologist at the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program and an instructor in psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Her clinical and research areas of expertise are in cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, treating anxiety disorders, mood disorders, borderline personality disorder, and suicidal ideation, as well as Asian-American mental health.

Kristen L. Batejan

Kristen L. Batejan, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist at the McLean Hospital 3East DBT Partial Hospital Program and an instructor in psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. She is experienced in treating adolescents and young adults struggling with emotional dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidality. She specializes in the use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Her research has focused on the phenomenology of suicidal and self-injurious behaviors.

Caroline Johnson

Caroline Johnson is a research assistant and study coordinator at the Brockton VA Medical Center. Her research interests are emotion dysregulation, risky behaviors such as non-suicidal self-injury, substance use, suicidal behavior, and borderline personality disorder.

Peggy M. Worden

Peggy M. Worden, PsyD, is a senior child and adolescent psychologist with 25 years of experience treating adolescents, children, and families. From 2000 to 2009, She was the clinical director of the Adolescent Acute Residential Treatment Program’s Dual Diagnosis Unit. In 2009, she partnered with Dr. Michael Hollander and created the 3East DBT Partial Hospital Program. She has extensive experience diagnosing and treating adolescents who engage in self-harm and struggle with suicidal ideation, as well as those with depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance use, and personality disorders. She is skilled in a wide range of therapeutic techniques, including cognitive behavior therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, motivational interviewing, and family interventions.

Alan E. Fruzzetti

Alan E. Fruzzetti, PhD, has adapted and implemented dialectical behavior therapy for underserved populations, and developed many successful DBT programs for people with borderline personality disorder and other problems with emotion regulation. His research focuses on the connections between severe psychopathology and interpersonal/family processes and their interplay with emotion dysregulation. He is on the Board of Directors of the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, the International Society for DBT, and the Linehan Institute. He has authored more than 100 research and clinical papers and book chapters and has lectured and trained professionals in more than a dozen countries on BPD, DBT, and family interventions.