Adolescents' evaluation of Dialectical behavior therapy



Archard, Rachael
Adolescents' evaluation of Dialectical behavior therapy. Doctor of Philosophy thesis, University of Liverpool.

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Abstract

There is a large amount of research on BPD which highlights the pervasive and distressing nature of this disorder along with its resulting high financial cost to services. Previous research exploring intervention options for BPD have found DBT to beneficial in reducing parasuicidal behaviour and it is acknowledged as the intervention of choice for adults. The research evidence on ‘what works’ for adolescents with BPD is limited, although DBT is an intervention offered in clinical practice. This study aims to contribute to the research on the effectiveness of DBT by exploring adolescents’ experience of receiving this therapy. Five participants took part in the study and verbatim transcripts from their interviews were analysed using Thematic Analysis. The aim of the analysis was to develop understanding on what adolescents found to be the most and least helpful aspects of DBT and to help ascertain whether participants viewed this therapy as effective in reducing their presenting difficulties. Results identified four main themes which were constructed from the data set; ‘Clinical Picture’, ‘Deciding to start DBT’, ‘Evaluation of DBT’ and ‘Change’, with each theme containing between two and six sub-themes. The themes were seen to connect with each other to represent participants’ journey through therapy. Clinical implications of the research indicate that clinicians play an important role in the process of therapy and contribute to both positive and negative experiences. It appears there is a need for clinicians working with this client group to be appropriately trained and skilled to provide flexible care. In addition the findings from the current study suggest DBT did not target the multiple and varied problems the adolescents presented with, resulting in on-going difficulties and high levels of disengagement and drop-out rates. Whilst participants felt the intervention contained positive elements, overall they reported dissatisfaction with the outcome of therapy. Services may therefore need to consider alternative or additional intervention options to target adolescents’ presenting difficulties and help improve their quality of life.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy)
Additional Information: Date: 2013-04 (completed)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Borderline Personality Disorder, Adolescents, Thematic Analysis
Subjects: ?? BF ??
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Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 08 Aug 2013 09:02
Last Modified: 16 Dec 2022 04:39
DOI: 10.17638/00011393
Supervisors:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/11393