Evaluating the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of Virtually Delivered Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills Groups Among Emerging Adults in India

Research from high-income countries has demonstrated the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) in reducing a range of psychiatric symptomatology, with limited research on efficacy in low-and middle-income countries. The purpose of this study was to examine acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of an eight-week group DBT Skills Training (DBT-ST) delivered via synchronous video teleconferencing by student therapists in India. Individuals who indicated an interest in participating in a virtual skills program were invited to participate in the study. Those who provided consent were randomized into a virtual DBT-ST group (n = 43) or a waitlist comparison group (n = 41). Participants completed self-report measures of emotion dysregulation, coping, anxiety, and depression at baseline, after 4 weeks of virtual DBT-ST groups, and after 8 weeks of virtual DBT-ST groups. Participants in the virtual DBT-ST group also responded to open-ended questions regarding acceptability and feasibility and rated treatment acceptance. Feasibility was demonstrated by the retention of 71.8% of participants. DBT-ST was rated as acceptable. Efficacy was partially supported: Participants in the DBT-ST group reported lower depressive symptoms than the comparison group at post-assessment. There were no significant differences in emotion dysregulation, dysfunctional coping, or anxiety.