Gjennomførbarhet og aksept av en DBT-informert behandlings tilnærming for ungdom i barneverns institusjoner

Abstract

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an outpatient treatment that addresses severe emotional and relational difficulties,
and has been successfully applied across diagnoses, populations, and settings. In this study, we examined the feasibility and acceptability of the Care and Development Model (CDM), a DBT-informed residential treatment model aimed to improve adolescent mental health outcomes. Study participants included 42 adolescents (22 males and 20 females) with a mean age of 15.13 years (SD = 1.41, range 13–17 years), the adolescents’ caregivers and residential staff across seven institutions. Data collection lasted from May 2018 until May 2021 and combined standardized self-report measures of program feasibility and acceptability, including treatment satisfaction and alliance, customized program fidelity measures combining on-site observation and interviews with adolescents and staff, protocol data on treatment characteristics, and self-report checklists for treatment adherence. Results
indicate that residential staff consider the implementation of CDM appropriate, although distinct challenges were mentioned regarding the population and setting. Moderate to high satisfaction and alliance levels were reported by adolescents and therapists. The CDM program is an interesting approach which may be feasible and acceptable, although considerable effort for therapists to skillfully master the treatment is required. Implications for practice and research are discussed.