Michelle Lynk1, Elizabeth McCay2, Celina Carter3, Andria Aiello3, Faith Donald4. 1. Utilization Coordinator, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, Whitby, Ontario. 2. Research Chair in Urban Health and Associate Professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario. 3. Research Coordinator, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario. 4. Associate Professor, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this secondary analysis was to identify factors associated with engagement of street-involved youth in a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) intervention. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional correlational study. Youth were recruited from two agencies providing services to street-involved youth in Canada. Mental health indicators were selected for this secondary analysis to gain a better understanding of characteristics that may account for levels of engagement. RESULTS: Three distinct groups of participants were identified in the data, a) youth who expressed intention to engage, but did not start DBT (n=16); b) youth who started DBT but subsequently dropped out (n=39); and c) youth who completed the DBT intervention (n=67). Youth who did engage in the DBT intervention demonstrated increased years of education; increased depressive symptoms and suicidality; and lower levels of resilience and self-esteem compared to youth participants who did not engage in the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that it is possible to engage street-involved youth in a DBT intervention who exhibit a high degree of mental health challenges. Despite the growing literature describing the difficult psychological and interpersonal circumstances of street-involved youth, there remains limited research regarding the process of engaging these youth in service.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this secondary analysis was to identify factors associated with engagement of street-involved youth in a Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) intervention. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional correlational study. Youth were recruited from two agencies providing services to street-involved youth in Canada. Mental health indicators were selected for this secondary analysis to gain a better understanding of characteristics that may account for levels of engagement. RESULTS: Three distinct groups of participants were identified in the data, a) youth who expressed intention to engage, but did not start DBT (n=16); b) youth who started DBT but subsequently dropped out (n=39); and c) youth who completed the DBT intervention (n=67). Youth who did engage in the DBT intervention demonstrated increased years of education; increased depressive symptoms and suicidality; and lower levels of resilience and self-esteem compared to youth participants who did not engage in the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that it is possible to engage street-involved youth in a DBT intervention who exhibit a high degree of mental health challenges. Despite the growing literature describing the difficult psychological and interpersonal circumstances of street-involved youth, there remains limited research regarding the process of engaging these youth in service.
Authors: Elizabeth McCay; John Langley; Heather Beanlands; Linda Cooper; Naomi Mudachi; Andrea Harris; Rebecca Blidner; Karen Bach; Colin Dart; Carol Howes; Susan Miner Journal: Can J Nurs Res Date: 2010-09
Authors: Martin Bohus; Brigitte Haaf; Timothy Simms; Matthias F Limberger; Christian Schmahl; Christine Unckel; Klaus Lieb; Marsha M Linehan Journal: Behav Res Ther Date: 2004-05