Rebecca C Kamody1,2, Idia B Thurston3,4,5, Emily I Pluhar6,7, Joan C Han4,5,8, E Thomaseo Burton4,5. 1. Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA. rebecca.kamody@yale.edu. 2. Yale University Child Study Center, 230 South Frontage Road, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. rebecca.kamody@yale.edu. 3. Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN, 38152, USA. 4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA. 5. Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, 50 N. Dunlap Street, Memphis, TN, 38103, USA. 6. Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 333 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. 7. Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. 8. Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 71 S. Manassas Street, Memphis, TN, 38163, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Subthreshold binge-eating disorder (BED) symptoms can lead to additive physical and psychological health challenges and may put youth at risk for developing BED during the early adulthood. We examined the implementation of a condensed dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills intervention for subthreshold binge-eating behaviors in adolescents. METHODS: Fifteen 14-18 years old participated in a 10-week DBT skills group, which experientially introduced mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills in the context of emotionally driven overeating behaviors. Adolescents and caregivers completed measures of emotional eating and binge-eating behaviors at baseline and post-intervention, including the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents. Eleven participants were retained at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics were compared at all three time points. Results suggested a reduction in emotional eating and binge-eating behaviors based on youth self-report and caregiver report. Acceptability ratings of the treatment were high among participants completing the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Using DBT skills to target emotionally driven overeating behaviors in youth may be useful in the treatment of subthreshold BED behaviors and potentially deter future development of full-criteria BED. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, uncontrolled pilot trial.
PURPOSE: Subthreshold binge-eating disorder (BED) symptoms can lead to additive physical and psychological health challenges and may put youth at risk for developing BED during the early adulthood. We examined the implementation of a condensed dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills intervention for subthreshold binge-eating behaviors in adolescents. METHODS: Fifteen 14-18 years old participated in a 10-week DBT skills group, which experientially introduced mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness skills in the context of emotionally driven overeating behaviors. Adolescents and caregivers completed measures of emotional eating and binge-eating behaviors at baseline and post-intervention, including the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Emotional Eating Scale for Children and Adolescents. Eleven participants were retained at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics were compared at all three time points. Results suggested a reduction in emotional eating and binge-eating behaviors based on youth self-report and caregiver report. Acceptability ratings of the treatment were high among participants completing the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Using DBT skills to target emotionally driven overeating behaviors in youth may be useful in the treatment of subthreshold BED behaviors and potentially deter future development of full-criteria BED. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, uncontrolled pilot trial.