Treatment acceptability study of Walking the Middle Path, a new DBT skills module for adolescents and their families

Abstract

In light of dialectic behavioral therapy's effectiveness in treating suicidal adults, the treatment has been adapted for use in diverse clinical populations, including adolescents who are suicidal and have multiple problem. Walking the Middle Path is a new skill- training module that addresses specific problems and skill deficits of adolescents and their families. The present study evaluated the acceptability of Walking the Middle Path, in order to establish a basis for further assessment of the module's effectiveness. Fifty participants receiving DBT for adolescent were administered a Treatment Acceptability Scale, a skills-rating scale and an open-ended, qualitative assessment. Results indicated high ratings of acceptability. Middle Path skills ranked highly among the DBT skills perceived as most helpful, with validation rated the most beneficial aspect of skills training. The study provides preliminary support for inclusion of Middle Path in the skills training component of DBT with adolescents and their caregivers. Clinical implications of responses and the role of validation in improving family functioning are discussed.