“We can feel good”: evaluation of an adapted DBT informed skills programme in medium security

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities,Volume 12, Issue 5/6, Page 184-194, November 2018. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a routine evaluation of clinical effectiveness of an adapted DBT informed skills programme ( “I Can Feel Good”; Ingamells and Morrissey, 2014), run on both male and female intellectual disability wards of a medium security psychiatric hospital. Design/methodology/approach A pre–post evaluation study of routine clinical practice was undertaken utilising staff report scales collected as the primary source of evaluation. Findings Findings show a positive shift regarding each module for both gender groups. Due to observed baseline differences between gender groups, data were separated and analysed separately. Non-parametric statistical analysis demonstrates statistically signifi cant improvement across three modules for the male sample (managing feelings, coping in crisis and people skills) and two modules for the female sample (managing feelings and people skills). Originality/value There appears to be subtle outcome differences regarding this programme for both gender g roups across modules. Potential reasons for this are discussed, along with clinical reflections regarding gender differences and adaptations. Reflections upon future revisions including the integration of the new DBT skills (Linehan, 2014) are made in light of these findings.
Source: Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities - Category: Disability Source Type: research