Affirmative dialectical behavior therapy graduate group with LGBTQ+ Veterans

Abstract: Minority stress contributes to invalidating environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an intervention that targets chronic invalidation, and culturally-adapted Affirmative DBT Skills Groups have shown promise in reducing emotion dysregulation, depression, minority stress, and dysfunctional coping, as well as increasing DBT skills use among LGBTQ+ individuals. However, high relapse rates persist among individuals who complete DBT treatment. This project assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and pre-post outcomes of a novel Affirmative LGBTQ+ DBT Graduate Group (DBT-GG). Six LGBTQ+ veterans participated in the 12-week group focused on coping skills, emotion regulation, minority stress, and progress toward life goals. Post-group interviews and pre-post measures revealed the group was feasible and acceptable. While quantitative results did not indicate reliable change in targeted symptomology, qualitative data suggest improved emotion regulation, reduced dysfunctional coping, and progress toward life goals. Limitations include a small sample size and the absence of a control group. This exploratory intervention and detailed case examples offer insight into participant growth, provide a concrete way for practitioners to meet the needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, and provide a foundation for further study and clinical application of Affirmative DBT-GGs.

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