An open access journal
The Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has emerged as a gold standard intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), targeting emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties to improve overall functioning and reduce self-harming behaviors. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of DBT in reducing BPD symptoms and improving quality of life in individuals with BPD. Through a comprehensive literature review, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of DBT compared to control conditions (e.g., treatment as usual, waitlist, other psychotherapies) in targeting BPD symptoms, including emotional instability, interpersonal problems, self-harm, and suicidality. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment duration, therapist experience, treatment format (individual vs. group), and participant characteristics (e.g., age, severity of symptoms), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of DBT for BPD.
Share and Cite
Article Metrics
References
- Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.
- Bohus, M., et al. (2013). Dialectical behavior therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (DBT-PTSD) compared with cognitive processing therapy (CPT) in complex presentations of PTSD in women survivors of childhood abuse: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 70(5), 465-475.
- Koons, C. R., et al. (2001). Effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in a community mental health center. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 8(2), 101-116.
- McMain, S. F., et al. (2009). Dialectical behavior therapy compared with general psychiatric management for borderline personality disorder: Clinical outcomes and functioning over a 2-year follow-up. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 166(12), 1365-1374.
- Linehan, M. M., et al. (2006). Two-year randomized controlled trial and follow-up of dialectical behavior therapy vs therapy by experts for suicidal behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 63(7), 757-766.
- Lynch, T. R., et al. (2007). Dialectical behavior therapy for depressed older adults: A randomized pilot study. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(10), 829-838.