Acceptability and experience of DBT for perinatal women with C-PTSD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The acceptability, feasibility, and experience of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy groups for perinatal women with Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
IRAS ID
333304
Contact name
Anja Wittkowski
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
This mixed-method research aims to explore if this type of intervention is practical and useful in this population, in particular for perinatal women with Complex-posttraumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). We want to see what the women’s views of the group are like and ask what they found helpful or what they would change. We want to see if the women attend the group regularly. We will look at questionnaires before and after the DBT group, to notice any possible effects on the women who attended. We are interested in whether the group helps people cope any differently with their strong emotions.
Summary of Results
The Feasibility and Acceptability of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Groups for Perinatal Women with Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
This study was conducted as a result of 10 participants offering their time, including six patients and four clinicians. The researchers would like to extend their sincerest thanks to all participants, and in particular to the six women who shared their personal perinatal journey and experience of the therapeutic intervention.
This study was sponsored by the University of Manchester and completed as part of a ClinPsyD Trainee Clinical Psychologist thesis. The Trainee was supervised by three psychologists for this project. One who acted as a non-academic advisor, was employed by the specialist perinatal service which the project recruited from. The remaining authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.
The University of Manchester’s Community Liaison Group (including a member who was a mother with lived experience of mental health) provided feedback on the initial project idea, as well as on the proposed interview topic guide. This study took place in Greater Manchester. All participants were offered face to face or virtual interviews, with all selecting interviews facilitated remotely by video call.
The below paragraph provides a brief background to why the study was needed and the main aims of the study:
Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) arises from early life adversity and relational trauma. Women are at heighted risk of mental health deterioration during the perinatal period, and those with C-PTSD commonly face challenges in emotion regulation and relationships. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has a strong evidence base for addressing such difficulties, yet its feasibility and acceptability in perinatal populations remain underexplored. This study aimed to explore 1) the feasibility and acceptability of a DBT intervention, delivered in group format online to perinatal women with C-PTSD, considering what helped or hindered their psychological recovery, and 2) potential change indicators in key outcome measures, namely, emotion regulation and perceived mother-baby bond.This study considered experiences relating to a specific DBT intervention. This intervention was a 12-week online skills group, facilitated by two clinicians. Each weekly session lasted two hours. There were no adverse reactions or implications to receiving this psychological intervention.
This study found mean changes in the expected directions on all measures (pre- and post-) intervention for two groups (all group attendees, and those with C-PTSD specifically). There was a significant improvement on the emotion regulation measure for both groups.
From interviews, three key themes and eight sub-themes emerged. These were: 1) therapeutic foundations amid perinatal complexity, 2) holding the group - relationships and continuity and 3) finding the balance between access and connection.
Participants showed improvements in emotion regulation after the intervention. Online DBT skills groups were feasible and acceptable for patients and clinicians. Findings support the continued use and further refinement of this intervention for perinatal women with C-PTSD. Clinical recommendations are outlined in this paper.
The current researchers do not have further related research planned. However, the study outlines some suggestions for future research. To learn more about this study, please contact the researchers. This study is also currently being submitted to Frontiers in Psychiatry, and it is hoped it will be published in the coming months.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
23/WS/0177
Date of REC Opinion
6 Feb 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion