Adaptation of a DBT Intervention to Reduce Self-harm in Borderline Personality Disorder

ABSTRACT

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by instability that often leads to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) and greater healthcare utilization. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is useful although its long duration and the need for specialized therapists make it difficult to implement in low-resources settings, so brief interventions can complement DBT. The objective of the present study was to undertake cultural adaptation of a Brief, Manualized Intervention to reduce NSSI in the Mexican population with BPD. An experimental design with a single-case pilot study with replicas was used with seven women with a BPD diagnosis. Five to six online sessions were implemented and emotional dysregulation, experiential avoidance and NSSI were measured weekly. NAP index was calculated to assess the effect of the intervention. Most participants showed a large effect size in reducing NSSI and a moderate effect size in reducing emotional dysregulation. Moderate and small effect sizes were obtained in experiential avoidance. The intervention adapted and validated seems to be useful and serve as an additional therapeutically tool to complement usual treatment of patients with BPD (AU)