Dialectical behaviour therapy skills training: A feasibility study with active duty military

Abstract

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) skills training is an evidence-based intervention for patients with emotion dysreg­ulation or personality disorder. There is a dearth of research investigating DBT with active duty military populations. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a DBT skills training program for active duty military members. The 16-week program teaches four core skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. A quasi-experimental design was used, including pre and posttreatment questionnaires and focus group discussion. Participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and Borderline Evaluation of Symptoms over Time (BEST). Fifteen patients were referred to the group, and 9 completed treatment. Paired t-tests indicated that depression, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation significantly decreased with treatment (PHQ-9, GAD-7, and DERS; p < 0.01). Follow-up evaluations at 6 months posttreatment found that treatment gains were largely maintained, except for anxiety. Participants reported that coping and emotional regulation skills training were beneficial. The findings suggest that DBT skills training groups for active duty military members are feasible.