A Theoretical and Empirical Review of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Within Forensic Psychiatric and Correctional Settings Worldwide. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tomlinson, Monica F.
• Is Part Of: International journal of forensic mental health. Volume 17:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 72
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Criminal justice policy -- dialectical behavior therapy -- DBT -- offender rehabilitation -- systematic literature review; Forensic psychiatry -- Periodicals; Criminal psychology -- Periodicals; 614.15
• DOI: 10.1080/14999013.2017.1416003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1499-9013

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Cognitive-behavioral programs which are structured, skills-based, and risk-focused have been found to reduce recidivism rates by up to 55%. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) exemplifies all of these components, and has been rapidly adapted and implemented in correctional and forensic psychiatric facilities worldwide to reduce recidivism. Regrettably, the widespread implementation of adapted DBT has outpaced the research on its effectiveness for this purpose. Thus, it is currently unclear whether these programs are meeting the rehabilitation needs of these systems. In the following article, a qualitative systematic literature review of all DBT programs within forensic psychiatric and correctional populations using the PRISMA statement guidelines is presented, along with a detailed exploration of how these programs align with best practices in offender rehabilitation, and whether they are effective in reducing recidivism risk. Results offer very preliminary evidence that DBT has the potential to reduce recidivism risk in criminal justice systems if applied within a Risk-Need-Responsivity framework.