Experiences of DBT for individuals with Learning Disabilities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) for individuals with Learning Disabilities in a community setting: service user and staff experiences
IRAS ID
219261
Contact name
Amy Pearson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
There is considerable research on the use of DBT with individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who exhibit ‘parasuicidal’ behaviours (e.g. suicide attempts and self-harm) (Chapman, 2006). However, little is known about the use of DBT as a treatment for individuals with learning disabilities (LD) who have personality disorders or experience similar difficulties (e.g. risky behaviours, difficulty tolerating distress and managing emotions). The Department of Health (2009) argues that individuals with LD should have the same access to psychological therapies as the general population.
This research project involves interviewing 5-10 individuals with LD about their experience of receiving DBT. Approximately 5 staff members who deliver DBT to a population with LD will also be interviewed about their experience of facilitating a DBT programme. Participants will be recruited from services which currently deliver DBT to individuals with LD in the community. These services are within the Black Country Partnership Foundation Trust (BCPFT) and Surrey and Borders Partnership Trust (SABP).
The interviews will be semi-structured and a topic guide has been produced, which will inform the questions asked to participants. This will be used in a flexible way and will be subject to change, depending on the responses from the participants. This allows the interviews to flow naturally and means that any information elicited can be explored openly without the restraint of a rigid interview schedule.
A Dictaphone will be used to record the interviews and the material will later be transcribed. The transcribed data will then be analysed using a method known as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). IPA will enable the Chief Investigator (CI) to make sense of how participants experienced receiving and delivering DBT, as common themes and patterns which may emerge in the transcripts will be identified. Extracts from the interviews will be provided to support the interpretations made by the CI (Smith, Flowers & Larkin).
It is hoped that this will provide some insight into staff and client views on how effective and acceptable DBT is as a treatment for this population, moreover, what they see as meaningful outcomes following the therapy.
Chapman, A. L. (2006). Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Current Indications and Unique Elements. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 3(9), 62–68.Department of Health (2009). Valuing people now: a new three-year strategy for people with learning disabilities. HM Government: UK.
Smith, J. A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis: Theory, Method and Research. Sage: London.
REC name
West Midlands - South Birmingham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0288
Date of REC Opinion
5 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion