The Effect of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills on Reducing the Risky Behaviors of Patients with Borderline Semi-Clinical Symptoms

Impulsivity means quick action of the mind without forethought and sober judgment, with the least thought about future behaviors or acting on thoughts that are not the best choice for the individual or others. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of dialectical behavior change and acceptance skills in reducing risky behaviors.

The present study was a criterion-based trial. The statistical population of the study was women with impulsive behaviors in Arak city. 32 out of them who were willing to participate in the educational program were selected as the sample and randomly divided into two experimental and waiting list groups. The experimental group received 16 sessions of dialectical behavior therapy education and treatment. Since the research design was pre-test and post-test with the group in the waiting list, Bart's impulsivity measurement tool was applied twice before and after training. The data collected from this questionnaire were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics using multivariate analysis of covariance.

Risky behaviors were significantly decreased in the experimental group after receiving the skills based on acceptance and changing dialectical behavior therapy. But the amount of this variable in the waiting list group was not statistically significant.

Dialectical behavior therapy skills reduce the risky behaviors of impulsive behaviors and explosive anger in patients with subclinical symptoms of borderline personality disorder, and used the results of this study to reduce harmful behaviors.