A Preliminary Community Study of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) with Adolescent Females Demonstrating Persistent, Deliberate Self‐Harm (DSH)

Abstract

A study of dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for 16 older female adolescents with persistent and severe deliberate self-harm was undertaken. Independent assessments were carried out pre- and post-treatment, and at eight months follow-up. On average subjects completed more than 78% of sessions. There was a marked reduction in self reported depression (F = 12.8, df = 2, p < .001); hopelessness (F = 15.9, df = 2, p < .001); episodes of deliberate self-harm (F = 23.9, df = 2, p < .001); alongside an increase in general functioning (F = 22.9, df = 2, p < .001).