Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025

Using the Race Model Inequality to Quantify Behavioral Multisensory Integration Effects
Published on: May 10, 2019
Sexual identity and race/ethnicity as predictors of treatment outcome and retention in dialectical behavior therapy
Cindy J Chang1, Max A Halvorson2, Keren Lehavot2
1Mental Health Service, VA San Diego Health Care System, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Objective:
There is inconclusive evidence regarding sexual identity and race/ethnicity differences in outcomes in evidence-based psychological treatments. Although dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is well-studied, little is known about the extent to which its efficacy generalizes to sexual minority and racial/ethnic minority people. This study examined sexual identity, race/ethnicity, and their interaction as predictors of treatment outcome and retention in DBT.
Method:
Data were from five clinical trials conducted in research and community settings with a variety of adult populations (N = 269) engaged in standard DBT, augmented DBT, or DBT components. Longitudinal mixed-effects models evaluated sexual identity and racial/ethnic differences in clinical outcomes (suicide attempts, nonsuicidal self-injury [NSSI], global functioning, psychiatric hospitalizations) and retention.
Results:
Sexual identity, race/ethnicity, and their interaction did not predict the average severity or the rate of change in any clinical outcome over time. Sexual minority identity was associated with decreased risk of treatment dropout (OR = .44, p < .001). However, this effect was moderated by race/ethnicity, such that non-Hispanic White sexual minority participants had the lowest rates of dropout. Exploratory analyses suggested potential differences related to NSSI for certain sexual and racial/ethnic minority subgroups.
Conclusions:
Findings suggest no significant differences in DBT treatment outcomes when comparing between sexual minority and heterosexual individuals and between non-Hispanic White and racial/ethnic minority individuals. Sexual minority identity interacted with race/ethnicity to predict dropout, such that non-Hispanic sexual minority people were more likely to complete DBT compared to sexual minority people of color and heterosexual individuals. Further research is needed to clarify potential subgroup and intersectional differences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
More Related Videos
09:55Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
08:53Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community
Published on: May 31, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination
Surveys
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Elements Crucial for Effective Psychotherapy
The Therapeutic Alliance
The therapeutic alliance refers to the relationship between the therapist and the client. The alliance strengthens when the therapist and the client engage in a nurturing, supportive, trusting, empathetic, and respectful relationship, improving therapeutic outcomes. Therapists must monitor this relationship...
Relationship Formation