Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Informed Programme in a Community Perinatal...

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Mental Health
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychosocial Interventions

Background:

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) programs are established but underrepresented in perinatal mental health research.
• Limited data exists on the efficacy of stand-alone DBT skills groups for perinatal women experiencing emotion dysregulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a standalone DBT-informed skills group for perinatal women with emotion dysregulation.
• To assess changes in distress, confidence, and emotional regulation skills.

Main Methods:

• A DBT-informed skills group was delivered to 21 perinatal women; 14 completed the program.
• The curriculum included mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, adapted for parenting.
• Outcome measures were assessed at baseline, group start, and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• Significant reductions in distress (CORE scores) were observed post-intervention (p < .001).
• Participants showed significant increases in mental health confidence and emotion regulation abilities (p < .001).
• No significant changes were noted between initial assessment and group commencement.

Conclusions:

• The DBT skills group was associated with reduced distress and enhanced emotional regulation in perinatal women.
• The findings support the continuation of this service delivery model for perinatal mental health.
• Further research is recommended to validate these findings in larger, controlled studies.