A Pilot Investigation of Positive Psychology Instruments and Dialectical Behavior Therapy Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

There is efficacy evidence for dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and positive psychology interventions. However, there is minimal research examining positive psychology constructs alongside psychopathology measures in clinical populations. Accordingly, this study examined these associations in a DBT intensive outpatient program (IOP). Participants included 39 adults enrolled in a DBT IOP who completed measures of depression, anxiety, stress, emotion regulation, hope, and self-compassion. Results indicated hope and self-compassion were higher in graduates than in dropouts and were negatively associated with psychopathology measures. The relationship between depression and graduation status reached practical significance but not statistical significance. Two self-compassion subscales, mindfulness and common humanity, were significantly related to the number of sessions attended in this brief program. These findings indicate positive psychology measures possess utility within clinical populations. To accurately assess treatment success, counselors should consider measuring both the pathological and the positive.