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A Preliminary Study of an Extension of a Community Dialectic Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Programme to Adolescents in the Looked After Care System
Author(s) -
James Anthony C.,
Winmill Louise,
Anderson Ciorsdan,
Alfoadari Kielly
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
child and adolescent mental health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1475-3588
pISSN - 1475-357X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-3588.2010.00571.x
Subject(s) - harm , depression (economics) , deliberate self harm , psychiatry , psychology , population , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , medicine , suicide prevention , poison control , medical emergency , social psychology , environmental health , economics , macroeconomics
Background: Adolescents in the Looked After Care (LAC) system demonstrate high rates of psychiatric disorder and self‐harm; however, there is little evidence for therapies reducing self‐harm in this population. Method: An open evaluation of DBT for adolescents with repeated serious self‐harm in the LAC system was undertaken. Results: An intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis showed that DBT was successful at reducing the core elements of depression, hopelessness and self‐harm; however, 35% (7/20) failed to engage. Conclusion: DBT is a useful treatment option; the failure, however, of some adolescents to engage in therapy may be due to their higher initial rates of depression and hopelessness.