Ms Susan Num1, Ms Alice Bowie
1Youth Mental Health Service, SA Health, Oaklands Park, Australia
Biography:
Susan Num is an endorsed clinical psychologist and has an Advanced Clinical leadership position within the SALHN Youth MHS since 2015. Susan has provided structured individual and group treatments in a variety of practice settings. Susan leads research, training and development opportunities in the area of youth mental health and provides supervision and expert consultancy on youth specific and psychological practice. Susan has procured over $1,100,000 in philanthropic, research and training grants for SALHN in recent years in establishing the ongoing SALHN youth/family group therapy programs and as a co-Investigator on a NHMRC research project to improve LGBTIQA+ health outcomes.
Abstract:
Background:
Caring for a young person with symptoms of severe emotion dysregulation (including deliberate self-harm and borderline personality disorder) has been associated with high levels of carer burden. Treatment that includes a young person and their parent/carer increases effective management of crises, regulation of emotions and the building of positive relationships within the family environment. Dialectical Behavioural Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) is a multi-family group treatment program and evidence supports effectiveness for chronic emotional dysregulation in young people (16-24 years), participating with their carers.
Research Aims/Objective:
The current study investigated the experience of carers whilst supporting their young person undertaking DBT-A for 6 months in outpatient community treatment at the Southern Youth Mental Health Service, SALHN.
Methodology:
Carers (N = 52) participated in DBT-A with their young person. A mixed-methods approach collected quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative self-report measures of depression, anxiety, stress, burden and expressed emotion were completed at baseline, mid-treatment and post-treatment. Qualitative data was collected post-DBT-A through semi-structured interviews (N = 4), transcriptions of graduations (N = 25) and written feedback (N = 19).
Results:
Statistically significant reductions occurred in burden and expressed emotion following intervention. Qualitative results indicated positive opinions of the acceptability and success of the program for carers, with changes in personal, lifestyle and family functioning.
Conclusions:
Results supported the reduction of carer burden and subjective improvement of carers’ after DBT-A participation. Future research could investigate the mechanisms of carer symptom reduction and benefits within DBT-A to consider application across South Australian services.