Exploring the relevance of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills for emerging adults in India

An existing body of research demonstrates the efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills in reducing a range of psychiatric symptomatology in the United States, although the relevance of DBT Skills in low- and middle-income countries in the Global South has been understudied. Focusing on India, a middle-income country, in this qualitative study, we explored the relevance of DBT Skills for emerging adults—typically individuals aged 18–29 years—using focus groups with counseling psychology graduate students. Students (N = 22, 90% women) participated in initial focus groups where DBT Skills were outlined and were asked whether these skills would be relevant for emerging adults in India, and what adaptations may be needed. Then, students received a virtual four-week DBT Skills training program in which they learned extensively about DBT Skills and subsequently participated in focus groups to discuss the relevance of those skills for emerging adults in India. Incorporating the adaptations they recommended, students then facilitated DBT Skills groups with emerging adults in India for eight weeks and then participated in focus groups to discuss the relevance of the skills. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data from the three sets of focus groups. Twelve themes were identified and organized into three separate domains: (a) views about optimal interventions; (b) relevance of DBT Skills; and (c) sociocultural adaptations to DBT Skills. Overall, findings suggest relevance of DBT Skills for emerging adults in India with specific adaptations to emotion regulation, and more broadly to all modules by integrating collectivistic values and local cultural norms.