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An evaluation of the skills group component of DBT-A for parent/guardians: a mixed methods study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 January 2020

Daniel Flynn ,
Conall Gillespie ,
Mary Joyce  and
Ailbhe Spillane
Daniel Flynn
Affiliation:
Mental Health Services, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Health Service Executive, Block 2, St Finbarr’s Hospital, Cork, Ireland
Conall Gillespie
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Mary Joyce*
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Ailbhe Spillane
Affiliation:
National Suicide Research Foundation, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr M. Joyce, National Suicide Research Foundation, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. (Email: m.joyce@ucc.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives:

Previous research indicates that dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) is effective in treating emotionally dysregulated adolescents with self-harm and/or suicidal ideation. As part of the DBT-A programme, parents attend the weekly skills group with their child. However, few studies have evaluated parental outcomes in DBT-A. This multi-site study aims to explore the outcomes and experiences of parents who participated in a 16-week DBT-A programme in Ireland.

Methods:

This study was conducted in community-based child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the national public health system in Ireland. Participants were parent/guardians of adolescents attending a DBT-A programme in their local CAMHS. Participants attended the group skills component of the DBT-A programme. This study utilised a mixed methods approach where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participants. Self-report measures of burden, grief and parental stress were completed at pre-intervention, post-intervention and 16-week follow-up. Qualitative written feedback was obtained at post-intervention. The data were analysed using multi-level linear mixed-effects models and content analysis.

Results:

One hundred participants (76% female) took part in this study. Significant decreases were reported for objective burden, subjective burden, grief and parental stress from pre- to post-intervention (p < 0.01). Participants reported that the skills component of DBT-A was useful in meeting their own needs and the needs of their child.

Discussion:

DBT-A shows promise for parents as well as their adolescent child. Future studies should evaluate changes to family relationships following completion of the programme and also include controlled comparison groups.

Keywords

Adolescentsburdendialectical behaviour therapygriefguardiansparentsstress
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 2 , June 2023 , pp. 143 - 151
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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