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Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for Behavioral Dysregulation: A Comparison Trial Focused on Substance Use and Aggression
Author(s) -
Wupperman Peggilee,
Cohen Mia Gintoft,
Haller Deborah L.,
Flom Peter,
Litt Lisa C.,
Rounsaville Bruce J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22213
Subject(s) - aggression , mindfulness , clinical psychology , psychology , substance abuse , alcohol abuse , psychiatry , psychotherapist
Objectives Disorders of behavioral dysregulation often involve more than one dsyregulated behavior (e.g., drug abuse and aggression, alcohol abuse and gambling). The high co‐occurrence suggests the need of a transdiagnostic treatment that can be customized to target multiple specific behaviors. Method The current pilot study compared a 20‐week, individual transdiagnostic therapy (mindfulness and modification therapy [MMT]) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in targeting alcohol problems, drug use, physical aggression, and verbal aggression in self‐referred women. Assessments were administered at baseline, post‐intervention, and 2‐month follow‐up. Results Wilcoxon signed‐ranked tests and multilevel modeling showed that MMT ( n = 13) displayed (a) significant and large decreases in alcohol/drug use, physical aggression, and verbal aggression; (b) significantly greater decreases in alcohol/drug use and physical aggression than did TAU ( n = 8); and (c) minimal‐to‐no deterioration of effects at follow‐up. Both conditions showed significant decreases in verbal aggression, with no statistically significant difference between conditions. MMT also displayed greater improvements in mindfulness. Conclusions Preliminary findings support the feasibility and efficacy of MMT in decreasing multiple dysregulated behaviors.