Effectiveness of a CBT and DBT-based partial hospital program across ethnoracial identities

Although people of color (POC) experience more severe, impairing, and chronic psychiatric symptoms than non-Hispanic white (NHW) individuals, few studies have examined evidence-based treatment outcomes across ethnoracial groups. This study compared ethnoracial groups on treatment outcomes in a partial hospital program (PHP) providing non-culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

There were 3284 adult participants, including 43 (1.3 %) Latino/a, 144 (4.4 %) Asian, 66 (2.0 %) Black, 210 (6.4 %) multiracial, and 2821 (85.9 %) NHW individuals. Participants were compared on symptom outcomes (i.e., Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale-24-items and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener-7-items), treatment response (i.e., treatment completion and perceived improvement), and perceptions of care (i.e., overall care and respect and dignity in treatment).

Compared to other ethnoracial groups, following treatment, Asian individuals reported better relationship functioning and Black individuals reported higher perceived improvements and greater respect and dignity by staff in the program after controlling for 14 baseline characteristics with a 10 % false discovery rate.

Findings suggest that a PHP providing non-culturally adapted CBT and DBT is generally similarly effective for individuals across ethnoracial groups, with some outcomes being superior among certain minority ethnoracial groups. Several POC groups reported significantly greater improvements and perceived a higher quality of care. Future studies should examine how to maximize treatment outcomes for ethnoracial groups, especially marginalized groups (e.g., Latinx and multiracial individuals).