Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Informed Programme in a Community Perinatal Team

Background: Adapted DBT programmes have been well documented but little has been published on such programmes in the perinatal period. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of a stand-alone DBT skills group for perinatal women with emotion dysregulation. Method: A stand-alone DBT-informed skills training group was offered to 21 women with emotional dysregulation under the care of a perinatal community mental health team; 14 completed the programme. Staff received support via a consultation group. Modules included mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness adapted to the specific demands of parenting infants. Outcome measures were collected at three time points: assessment, start of the group and at the end. Results: Statistical analysis showed significant reduction in CORE scores over the intervention period (t (13) = 5.32, p < .001; Cohen's d = 0.83), with similar effects on the Mental Health Confidence Scale (t (13) = 8.03, p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.83) and Living with Emotions Scale (t (13) = 9.42, p < .001, Cohen's d = 0.93). There were no significant changes on these three measures from assessment to start of the group. Conclusions: In this uncontrolled study, the intervention period was associated with reduced distress, increased confidence and ability to regulate emotion. Recommendations for continuing this model of service delivery are made. Further research is needed.