Study of Factors Affecting Treatment Response in Patients Receiving Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Self-Harm and Borderline Personality Disorder in Norway

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying predictors of clinical course and treatment response in patients receiving Dialectical Behaviour Therapy DBT in Norway. The study focuses on individuals with repeated self-harm behavior and borderline personality disorder, aiming to understand which patient characteristics and treatment factors influence outcomes such as symptom levels, functioning, problem behaviors, and emergency service use. This research is a collaboration between The National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention and clinical units with DBT programs. Participants receive either DBT adapted for adolescents DBT-A over 20 weeks or the standard DBT for adults lasting 52 weeks. DBT-A includes weekly individual therapy, multifamily skills training, family therapy as needed, and telephone coaching. Standard DBT involves weekly individual therapy, weekly skills training, and telephone coaching outside sessions. Assessments occur before treatment, during treatment at several points, at treatment end, and follow-up, using interviews and patient self-reports. During the study, patients provide self-report data electronically on tablets and via a mobile app several times daily. Therapists enter interview and rating data into the database. The main outcomes measured include self-harm behavior, suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, borderline symptoms, and hopelessness at various intervals. The study collects data over time to evaluate clinical changes and treatment impact, with participation lasting through the treatment and follow-up periods.

Predictors of Clinical Course and Treatment Response in DBT Programmes