# Group dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents with emotional dysregulation and maladaptive coping: pilot implementation in Qatar

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new group therapy for teenagers in Qatar with emotional issues, showing it can improve mental health and fit local cultural values.

## Contribution

The study pioneers group dialectical behaviour therapy for adolescents in Qatar, emphasizing cultural adaptation and early intervention.

## Key findings

- Group DBT improved patient satisfaction among adolescents with emotional dysregulation.
- The therapy aligns with local cultural values, enhancing its acceptability and effectiveness.
- The initiative shows promise for early intervention in adolescents with emerging personality disorder features.

## Abstract

This paper presents a pioneering pilot implementation of group dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for adolescents with maladaptive coping in Qatar's child and adolescent mental health services. The project highlights the positive effect on patient satisfaction and the potential for early intervention with adolescents displaying emotional dysregulation. This pioneering initiative was consistent with local cultural values, stressing the importance of interconnectedness in mental health interventions. The impact of the initiative stresses its significance in diverse cultural contexts, urging further adoption regionally for improved mental health outcomes, particularly among adolescents displaying features of an emerging emotionally unstable personality disorder.