Do Parents Use of DBT Skills Change After a 12 Week Parent/Adolescent DBT Skills Group?

Abstract

The following research looks at the results of a pre and post assessment of parents’ DBT skills use after completing a 12 week DBT skills group. The research design compared individual and group raw score means of the pre and post assessment data. It was hypothesized that caregivers’ post DBT-WCCL scores would indicate more use of DBT skills following the intervention. The data showed a decrease in dysfunctional coping and an increase in DBT skills on post assessments. The magnitude of decrease in dysfunctional coping was greater than the increase in use of DBT skills. Clinicians need to ensure that their DBT groups teach skills to caregivers along with their teen.