The effect of dialectical behavior therapy on ambivalence in expressing emotion, impulsivity, and cognitive distortions in individuals with a history of suicide.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) on reducing ambivalence in emotional expression, impulsivity, and cognitive distortions in people with a history of suicide. The study was conducted using a quasi-experimental method and a pre-test-post-test-follow-up design with a control group. The sample included 40 people with a history of suicide in Isfahan in 1402-1403. They were purposively selected and randomly assigned to two groups of 20 people each: DBT and control. The research instruments included the Ambivalence in Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEQ), the Barrett Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (ICDS), whose validity and reliability were confirmed. The DBT intervention was implemented in 9 90-minute group sessions focusing on mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and SPSS version 26 software. The results showed that DBT There was a significant effect on reducing ambivalence in expressing emotions (F = 22.18, p < 0.001, Eta² = 0.28), impulsivity (F = 17.82, p < 0.001, Eta² = 0.25), and cognitive distortions (F = 16.94, p < 0.001, Eta² = 0.24) in the experimental group compared to the control group. These findings are in line with Linehan's model (1993) and Gross's theory of emotion regulation (2015) and emphasize the need to use DBT in treatment and preventive programs for people with a history of suicide. Limitations such as the lack of long-term follow-up, the lack of examination of specific dimensions of the variables, and the focus on a cultural context limited the generalizability of the results.