These Teens Got Therapy, Then They Got Worse
In recent years, there has been a growing concern among psychologists and mental health experts about the efficacy of various youth mental health interventions. One such program that gained widespread attention was dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which was initially developed for adult patients but was also implemented for adolescents. However, a comprehensive study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has revealed that DBT can potentially exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues and lead to worsened relationships with parents and increased rates of depression and anxiety in teens.
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney and other institutions, involved over 1,000 young teenagers who were randomly assigned to either a traditional middle-school health class or a DBT-class. The eight-week program was designed to improve mental health by teaching students specific coping strategies and life skills. These included practices such as mindfulness, cognitive reframing, and acceptance of negative emotions.
Surprisingly, the results were quite the opposite of what the researchers had anticipated. Not only were there worsening relationships with parents and increased mental health issues in the DBT group, but the study also found that the benefits of the therapy dissipated over time. Six months post-intervention, the DBT group continued to report poorer relationships with their parents and were less emotionally regulated than those who had not received the therapy.
This finding comes at a time when youth mental health has become a significant crisis, with rising rates of adolescent depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. The Australian study is just one of several studies that have highlighted the limitations of universal interventions, which involve applying “healthy” messages to a large group of youth without individualized assistance.
Other popular treatments, such as mindfulness-based programming and anti-bullying programs, have also been ineffective, leading experts to question the feasibility and long-term effects of these interventions. The failure of these programs suggests that relying on adults to impose solutions on adolescents may not be effective and may even lead to negative outcomes.
Instead, experts suggest that mental health interventions should be tailored to the individual needs of youth and incorporate their feedback and engagement. Additionally, providing access to mental health professionals and fostering a supportive school environment can help address the root causes of mental health issues among adolescents., the experience of these Australian teens serves as a reminder of the importance of carefully crafted interventions and individualized support. While universal approaches may seem like a quick and easy solution, they often fail to address the complex needs of young people and may even exacerbate existing mental health conditions. Future interventions should prioritize individualized care and strong support systems to help adolescents navigate the challenging times ahead.