Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Emotion Regulation Difficulties: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-164
Author(s):  
Lauren J. Harvey ◽  
Caroline Hunt ◽  
Fiona A. White
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Qualitative Synthesis ◽  
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Participant Engagement ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
Increasing Risk

AbstractWhile dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) appears efficacious in reducing suicidal and self-harming behaviour, it is unclear whether DBT reduces emotion regulation (ER) difficulties, a purported mechanism of change of treatment. This review aims to investigate and evaluate the current evidence to understand the effectiveness of DBT in improving ER difficulties. A qualitative synthesis of studies investigating the effectiveness of DBT on self-reported ER difficulties as measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) was performed, identifying eligible studies using PsycINFO, PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Fourteen studies were identified. Current evidence indicates that DBT does not show consistent benefits relative to existing psychological treatments in improving ER difficulties. The literature is compromised by significant methodological limitations increasing risk of bias across study outcomes. Furthermore, high variability across DBT programs and a lack of investigation regarding adherence and participant engagement within interventions was observed. Further research is needed in order to conclude regarding the effectiveness of DBT in improving ER difficulties. Consistent use of active treatment conditions, greater standardisation of DBT-based interventions, in addition to further examination of participant engagement level in DBT-based interventions in the long term may assist understanding as to whether DBT improves ER difficulties.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills Training Groups for Common Mental Health Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal P Delaquis ◽  
Kayla M. Joyce ◽  
Maureen Zalewski ◽  
Laurence Katz ◽  
Julia Sulymka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Transdiagnostic Treatment ◽  
Training Groups ◽  
Health Disorders

Context: Emotion regulation deficits are increasingly recognized as an underlying mechanism of many disorders. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) holds potential as a transdiagnostic treatment for disorders with underlying emotion regulation deficits.Objective: Systematically review the evidence for DBT skills training groups as a transdiagnostic treatment for common mental health disorders via meta-analysis. Study Selection: Randomized control trials (RCTs) of DBT skills training groups for adults with common mental health disorders, and no comorbid personality disorder, were included. Data Synthesis: Twelve RCTs met inclusion criteria (N = 425 participants). DBT had a moderate-to-large effect on symptom reduction (g = 0.79, 95% CI [0.52, 1.06], p < .0001). Improvements in emotion regulation yielded a small-to-moderate effect (g = 0.48, 95% CI [0.22, 0.74], p < .01). Results showed significant effects of DBT on depression (g = 0.50, 95% CI [0.25, 0.75], p = .002), eating disorders (g = 0.83, 95% CI [0.49, 1.17], p = .001) and anxiety (g = 0.45, 95% CI [0.08, 0.83], p = .03).Conclusions: Findings suggest DBT is an effective treatment for common mental health disorders and may be considered as a promising transdiagnostic therapy.

scholarly journals The Effect of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy on Emotion Dysregulation in Couples

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127
Author(s):  
Ahmed Rady ◽  
Tarek Molokhia ◽  
Nehal Elkholy ◽  
Ahmed Abdelkarim
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Emotion Dysregulation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Marital Distress ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Female Partners ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Divorce Rates

Background: Divorce rates have increased during the last decade, leading to a greater focus of marital scholars on the importance of understanding couple-maintaining strategies within marital life. Distresses in couples are attributable to difficulties controlling felt, experienced, and expressed emotions; thus, emotion dysregulation is a core stressor in couples with maladaptive responses. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) on outpatient couples to treat emotion dysregulation. Methods: We recruited 20 couples with marital distress in which partners presented emotion dysregulation. We offered the couples the opportunity to join a couple DBT group at their convenience and based on the immediate availability of treatment slots. We measured the treatment efficacy using psychometric tools (the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and the Dyadic Adjustment Ccale (DAS) at baseline and after DBT therapy. Results: Both male and female partners presented significant improvements in marital adjustment DAS and emotion regulation scores. Female partners showed significantly greater amplitude changes in both scales. Female partners showed significant improvement in most DERS subscales (except the GOALS subscale); on the other hand, male partners showed significant improvements in impulse, awareness, strategies, and clarity subscales. We found significant improvements in most DAS subscales in both sexes; only affectional expression remained unchanged before and after therapy. Conclusion: DBT for couples is an effective approach to treat emotion dysregulation.

Improving Accessibility to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Individuals with Cognitive Challenges

2017 ◽  
pp. 768-796
Author(s):  
Julie F. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Dual Diagnosis ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Dually Diagnosed ◽  
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Personal Challenges ◽  
Challenging Behaviours ◽  
Improve Access

Many individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities (ID) who are dually-diagnosed with mental health problems experience emotional, cognitive, and behavioural regulation difficulties. The comprehensive, multi-modal approach offered by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) addresses the complex intra- and inter-personal challenges that create and maintain patterns of dysregulation and challenging behaviours. This chapter presents information to help DBT therapists understand factors relevant to applying DBT with individuals with dual-diagnosis and emotion regulation skills deficits. Although standard aspects of DBT are critical, adjustments to improve access for individuals with ID are necessary. Therapists treating this population must be competent in standard DBT and in managing factors associated with cognitive load to modify interventions in ways that remain fundamentally DBT. This chapter addresses accommodations that alter delivery mechanisms, not changing core processes, and introduces the Skills System, an adapted curriculum with which the DBT therapist can help individuals with ID improve intrinsic emotion regulation capacities.

scholarly journals Math Anxiety Is Related to Math Difficulties and Composed of Emotion Regulation and Anxiety Predisposition: A Network Analysis Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1609
Author(s):  
Lital Daches Cohen ◽  
Nachshon Korem ◽  
Orly Rubinsten
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Latent Variables ◽  
Math Anxiety ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Math Performance ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Theoretical Understanding ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
And Performance

Current evidence suggests emotion regulation is an important factor in both math anxiety and math performance, but the interplay between these constructs is unexamined. Given the multicomponent structure of math anxiety, emotion regulation, and math performance, here, we aimed to provide a comprehensive model of the underlying nature of the links between these latent variables. Using the innovative network analysis approach, the study visualized the underlying links between directly observable and measurable variables that might be masked by traditional statistical approaches. One hundred and seventeen adults completed a battery of tests and questionnaires on math anxiety, emotion regulation, and math performance. The results revealed: (1) state math anxiety (the emotional experience in math-related situations), rather than trait math anxiety, was linked to anxiety predisposition, subjective valence of math information, and difficulties in emotion regulation; (2) the link between state math anxiety and math performance partialed out the link between trait math anxiety and performance. The study innovatively demonstrates the need to differentiate between traits and tendencies to the actual emotional experience and emotion regulation used in math anxiety. The results have important implications for the theoretical understanding of math anxiety and future discussions and work in the field.

scholarly journals Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for the Treatment of Emotion Dysregulation and Trauma Symptoms in Self-Injurious and Suicidal Adolescent Females: A Pilot Programme within a Community-Based Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keren Geddes ◽  
Suzanne Dziurawiec ◽  
Christopher William Lee
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Community Mental Health Service ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy ◽  
Pilot Programme ◽  
The Impact

Background. The literature suggests a link between childhood trauma and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, including nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidality. We assessed the impact of a pilot dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) programme on reducing trauma-related symptoms and improving emotional regulation, suicidality, and NSSI in adolescents.Methods. Six adolescents attending a community mental health service received 26 weeks of DBT, together with a parent. Independent assessors collected measures on each participant at baseline, posttreatment, and three-month followup. We implemented further improvements over past research with the use of adolescent-specific outcome measures as well as independent assessment of treatment integrity, noted as problematic in previous studies, using videotapes.Results. Firstly, adolescents reported a decrease in trauma-based symptoms, suicidality, and NSSI following participation in the DBT programme that was maintained at the three-month followup. Secondly, adolescents also reported improved emotion regulation immediately following treatment, and this was maintained, albeit more moderately, three months later. Given the burgeoning demand on mental health services, it is notable that five of the six adolescents were discharged from the service following the DBT intervention.Conclusions. The results of this pilot programme suggest that DBT has the potential to improve the symptoms of this at-risk population.

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS)

2013 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise S. Dan-Glauser ◽  
Klaus R. Scherer
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
French Translation ◽  
French Version ◽  
Inappropriate Behaviors ◽  
Initial Validation ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation ◽  
Instrument Measuring ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Psychopathological Disorders

Successful emotion regulation is a key aspect of efficient social functioning and personal well-being. Difficulties in emotion regulation lead to relationship impairments and are presumed to be involved in the onset and maintenance of some psychopathological disorders as well as inappropriate behaviors. Gratz and Roemer (2004 ) developed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), a comprehensive instrument measuring emotion regulation problems that encompasses several dimensions on which difficulties can occur. The aim of the present work was to develop a French translation of this scale and to provide an initial validation of this instrument. The French version was created using translation and backtranslation procedures and was tested on 455 healthy students. Congruence between the original and the translated scales was .98 (Tucker’s phi) and internal consistency of the translation reached .92 (Cronbach’s α). Moreover, test-retest scores were highly correlated. Altogether, the initial validation of the French version of the DERS (DERS-F) offers satisfactory results and permits the use of this instrument to map difficulties in emotion regulation in both clinical and research contexts.

“Paint It Black”

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 196-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oulmann Zerhouni ◽  
Johan Lepage
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Conditioned Stimulus ◽  
Evaluative Conditioning ◽  
Maladaptive Behaviors ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Contingency Awareness ◽  
Difficulties In Emotion Regulation

Abstract. The present study is a first attempt to link self-reported difficulties in everyday emotion regulation (ER) with evaluative conditioning (EC). We conducted a within-subject study in which participants (n = 90) filled the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) and were exposed to neutral conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with mildly or highly arousing negative unconditioned stimuli (USs) and positive USs. Participants then filled a contingency awareness measure. Results showed (i) that CSs paired with highly arousing negative USs were more negatively evaluated, (ii) that the EC effect with highly and mildly arousing negative USs was stronger among participants with greater self-reported difficulties in everyday ER. Moreover, participants were more likely to be aware of the CS-US contingencies with highly (vs. mildly) arousing negative USs. Implications for the understanding of maladaptive behaviors and for future directions in EC research are discussed.

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