Potential Benefits of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents Receiving Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder Traits: Implications for Psychiatric Nurses

Sara Hagen,Cheryl L Woods-Giscombe,Linda S Beeber,Jeehae Chung

doi:10.13189/nh.2014.020501

Sara Hagen, Cheryl L Woods-Giscombe + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.13189/nh.2014.020501

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Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) involves a complex constellation of symptoms including suicidal threats, suicidal gestures, and self-harming behaviors. There are limited effective treatment options for adolescent patients with BDP or BDP traits in the inpatient hospital setting. This paper discusses BPD and BPD traits in adolescents, examines challenges faced by inpatient nurses, summarizes evidence supporting Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for adolescents with BPD traits, and proposes specific inpatient setting programming to address the needs of this population. This paper suggests that DBT may be successfully implemented to optimize outcomes. DBT has typically been used in adult outpatient settings. However, research suggests that the integration of DBT strategies in inpatient settings serving adolescents could facilitate effective outcomes. Nurses in particular are critical members of the hospital treatment paradigm. Outcomes could be enhanced if nurses have a better understanding of DBT and if they received training to enable them to contribute to DBP programming.

Highlights

Adolescents with borderline personality traits or diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) who require inpatient hospitalization need specialized care (Cailhol et al, 2013)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) has been shown to be effective with adults diagnosed with BPD (Lieb, Zanarini, Schmahl, Linehan, & Bohus, 2004), and a growing body of research demonstrates the application of DBT for adolescents in outpatient settings (Miller, Rathus, Dubose, Dexter-Mazza, & Goldklang, 2007); there is currently no standardized, systematic approach for the treatment of adolescents with traits of the disorder, especially in the inpatient setting
The 27 participants in the study completed a 12-week DBT intervention, which resulted in significant reductions in BPD symptoms, including confusion about self, impulsivity, emotional instability, and interpersonal problems (Miller, Wyman, Huppert, Glassman, & Rathus, 2000)

Summary

Introduction

Adolescents with borderline personality traits or diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) who require inpatient hospitalization need specialized care (Cailhol et al, 2013). This is the case for adolescent patients engaging in suicidal gestures and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors. Given the documented benefits of DBT for adults and adolescents in outpatient settings (Andion et al, 2012), the implementation of DBT on adolescent psychiatry inpatient units could potentially prevent future hospitalizations, provide adolescents with BPD traits the skills to manage symptoms, and prevent future suicide attempts and self-harming behaviors (Andion et al, 2012; Memel, 2012). Potential Benefits of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescents Receiving Treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder Traits: Implications for Psychiatric Nurses

Borderline Personality Disorder in Adolescents

Nursing Care of Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder

Implications for Future Research and Nursing Practice

Summary

Findings

Participants Inclusion Criteria