Component analysis of dialectical behavior therapy skills training.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to examine patient perceptions of the relative effectiveness of components of dialectical behavior therapy group skills training.

METHOD

Nineteen patients rated their perceptions of the relative effectiveness of 27 separate dialectical behavior therapy skills after completing 6 months standard dialectical behavior therapy. Two-tailed t-tests were used, comparing the first ranked skill with all other skills.

RESULTS

The 27 skills were ranked by means in order of perceived value. Eleven skills were statistically significantly different from the first ranked skill.

CONCLUSIONS

The data in this pilot study contributes in a small way to dialectical behavior therapy dismantling research and warrants a larger multi-centred study. A planned future study will compare patient rankings of skills with clinical outcomes.