Family relationships as DBT outcome predictor for adolescents with BPD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Parent-child interactions as outcome predictors for dialectic behavioural therapy (DBT) for adolescents with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
IRAS ID
221929
Contact name
Anthony James
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) include emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, interpersonal difficulties, repeated self-harm and suicide attempts. As in adults, symptoms of BPD in adolescents are significant contributors to poor long-term functioning. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment for adolescent BPD symptoms (1, 2). Previous studies with adults have shown the quality of family relationships to be a good predictor of treatment outcome (3-5). However, current DBT practice for adolescents lacks an explicit model for understanding parent-child interactions. As most adolescents live with their parents, family relationship play an even more critical role in the adolescent's treatment progress; which further highlights the importance of understanding the role of family-child interaction within DBT. Hence, the study will investigate parent-child relationships as predictors of DBT outcome among adolescents with BPD. Parent-adolescent interactions will be observed through interactional tasks facilitated by trained DBT therapists. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to evaluate the adolescent’s psychopathology and functioning. The sample will consist of adolescents (13-18 years) meeting the criteria for BPD. The studies will be conducted at Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Wiltshire DBT outpatient services. Prior to DBT, and following informed consent, parents and young people will complete interactional tasks, semi-structured interviews, and self-report measures. The main outcome measure will be symptoms of BPD and functioning. The secondary measure is the level and severity of self-harm. Data will be collected at the start of DBT and at 30 weeks. The study is expected to run for two years.
1. Mehlum, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2014, 53:1082.
2. Mehlum, et al. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 2016, 55:295.
3. Gunderson. Am J Psychiatry, 2007, 164:1637.
4. Hooley, et al. J Clin Psychiatry, 2010, 71:1017.
5. Bailey and Grenyer. Personal Ment Health, 2015, 9:21.REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0529
Date of REC Opinion
7 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion