What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common side effects of treatments for criminal behavior, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans (DBT-J), which combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies, can include emotional discomfort, increased anxiety, or distress as patients confront challenging thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness-based interventions may also lead to temporary increases in emotional distress or discomfort as individuals become more aware of their thoughts and feelings. These side effects are generally mild and transient, with the overall benefits of these therapies often outweighing the temporary discomfort.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

There are no specific FDA-approved medications for the treatment of criminal behavior. However, treatments like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies, have been studied for their effectiveness in addressing emotional regulation and reducing criminal behavior in justice-involved populations. DBT is widely recognized and used in clinical settings for various mental health conditions, including borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders, which can be comorbid with criminal behavior. The focus remains on psychotherapy rather than pharmacotherapy for these issues.

What other types of research exist?

Promising alternatives to DBT-J for justice-involved veterans include: 1) Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), which focuses on improving patients' ability to understand their own and others' mental states, and has shown efficacy in treating borderline and antisocial personality disorders. 2) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tailored for violent offenders, which has been effective in reducing criminal behavior by addressing cognitive distortions and promoting pro-social behavior. 3) Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), which provides comprehensive, community-based psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, and support to individuals with severe mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders. These therapies offer structured approaches that can be tailored to the specific needs of justice-involved veterans.

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Behavioural Intervention

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Psychosocial Functioning in Veterans

N/A

Recruiting

Led By Emily R Edwards, PhD

Research Sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 52 weeks

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial tests a therapy program called DBT-J designed to help veterans with legal troubles and mental health issues. The program aims to reduce future criminal behavior and improve overall well-being. Veterans will participate in either DBT-J or another type of group therapy. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has been adapted for various populations, including justice-involved veterans, to address specific needs and improve outcomes.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for Veterans aged 18 or older who can consent and have had recent run-ins with the law, like an arrest or probation within the last two years. It's not for those in other trials, non-English speakers, enrolled in similar therapy programs, previous DBT-J participants, or those who can't handle group therapy.

What is being tested?

The study tests if Dialectical Behavior Therapy tailored for justice-involved Veterans (DBT-J) is better than supportive group therapy at reducing future criminal behavior and improving how well they function day-to-day. The trial also looks into how it affects other treatment goals and its long-term impact on different types of Veterans.

What are the potential side effects?

Since this trial involves psychotherapy interventions rather than medications, traditional side effects are not a concern. However, participants may experience emotional discomfort discussing personal issues during sessions.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 52 weeks

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~52 weeks

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 52 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning

Level of Service / Case Management Inventory

Secondary study objectives

Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test

Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation

Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale

+10 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved VeteransExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

16 weeks of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans

Group II: Supportive Group PsychotherapyActive Control1 Intervention

16 weeks of supportive group psychotherapy for justice-involved Veterans

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Justice-Involved Veterans (DBT-J) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness strategies to address key areas such as emotional regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, distress tolerance, and mindfulness. Cognitive-behavioral techniques help patients identify and change maladaptive thought patterns and behaviors, while mindfulness strategies enhance self-awareness and present-moment focus. Emotional regulation skills enable patients to manage intense emotions that may lead to criminal behavior, and interpersonal effectiveness skills improve their ability to interact positively with others. Distress tolerance techniques provide tools for coping with stress and crises without resorting to harmful behaviors. These mechanisms are crucial for criminal behavior patients as they address the underlying psychological and emotional issues that contribute to criminal activities, promoting long-term behavioral change and reducing recidivism.

Impact of mindfulness-based therapy on psychological characteristics of juveniles in conflict with law in India.DBT in an outpatient forensic setting.