[Dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents; a literature review]

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Adolescent Psychology
• Behavioral Therapy

Context:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an established treatment for adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
• Recent interest has grown in applying DBT to adolescent populations with diverse behavioral and emotional challenges.
• Existing research on DBT for adolescents is limited, necessitating a review of current evidence.

Purpose:

• To systematically review the existing literature for evidence supporting the efficacy of DBT in adolescents aged 12 to 18.
• To identify the range of adolescent disorders and behaviors that DBT may effectively address.

Summary:

• A literature search identified no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for DBT in adolescents, but did find quasi-experimental and pre-post studies.
• Despite methodological limitations, findings suggest DBT may be effective in reducing BPD symptoms, suicidal ideation, and comorbid depression in adolescents.
• Evidence indicates potential benefits for eating disorders, bipolar disorder, oppositionality, aggression, and nonsuicidal self-injurious behavior (NSIB).

Impact:

• DBT may be a valuable therapeutic option for adolescents experiencing NSIB and/or BPD symptoms.
• The findings highlight DBT's potential applicability to a broader spectrum of adolescent affective and behavioral disorders.
• The review underscores the critical need for high-quality RCTs to definitively establish DBT's effectiveness in adolescent populations.