Coping with Transitions: A Promising Intensive Outpatient DBT Program for Emerging Adults and Their Families.

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Emerging adulthood is a critical developmental stage characterized by exploration and growth, yet it presents unique challenges.
• This period is also vulnerable to mental health issues that impede developmental milestones.
• Emotional dysregulation is a key concern for emerging adults facing these challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the System for Adult Growth and Emergence-Foundations (SAGE-F), a novel intensive outpatient Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program.
• To evaluate the short-term and long-term therapeutic value of the SAGE-F program.
• To assess the program's impact on symptom severity, functioning, and coping strategies in emerging adults.

Main Methods:

• An intensive, outpatient DBT program (SAGE-F) was implemented for emerging adults.
• Participants completed a comprehensive assessment battery at intake, 6-week program completion, and 3-month follow-up.
• Assessments measured symptom severity, daily functioning, and coping strategies.

Main Results:

• Completion of the SAGE-F program led to significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms.
• Participants reported a decrease in non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors.
• Improvements were observed in daily functioning and coping capacities, with sustained progress at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• The SAGE-F program demonstrates significant therapeutic value for emerging adults.
• DBT is an effective treatment for emotional dysregulation and associated mental health challenges in this population.
• The SAGE-F protocol shows promise for improving mental health outcomes and functional capacity in emerging adults.