Skills Video Intervention for Emotion Regulation

Overseen By Qingqing Yin, M.S.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Disqualifiers: Receiving mental health services, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how short animated videos can help Chinese and Chinese American college students better manage their emotions. The videos incorporate skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy that teaches acceptance and change strategies. Participants will be divided into groups to watch different sequences of these videos. Students who identify as Chinese or Chinese American, are interested in coping skills, and have a smartphone compatible with the research app are well-suited for this trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for students to enhance their emotional management skills through innovative methods.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this skills video intervention is safe for emotion regulation?

Research has shown that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, even when taught through videos, are generally safe. Studies have found that using these skills can improve emotional control and related areas. No major reports of harm or serious side effects have emerged from these video methods. This indicates that the treatment is well-tolerated and considered safe for use in studies like this one. ^{1 2 3 4}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores a novel approach to emotion regulation using video interventions based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills. Unlike traditional in-person therapy sessions, this method offers flexibility and accessibility by delivering skills training through videos. The trial investigates two distinct sequences: one starts with acceptance-oriented skills followed by change-oriented skills, and the other reverses the order. This innovative approach could provide valuable insights into which sequence is more effective, potentially optimizing how DBT skills are taught and practiced.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for emotion regulation?

Research has shown that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills training can help people manage their emotions better. Studies have found that DBT can lower emotional distress and improve stress management. A small study found that DBT skills can reduce difficult behaviors. In this trial, participants will receive DBT skills training through videos. Some will receive acceptance-oriented skills followed by change-oriented skills, while others will receive change-oriented skills followed by acceptance-oriented skills. Additionally, using videos to teach DBT skills has proven effective in some cases, demonstrating that these skills can be learned through digital formats like animated videos. Overall, DBT skills training can effectively improve emotional control and reduce stress. ^{1 3 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Qingqing Yin, M.S.

Principal Investigator

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for Chinese or Chinese American college students who want to learn coping skills to manage emotions. Participants must be 18 or older, have a smartphone compatible with the study's app, and be enrolled at the local university.

Inclusion Criteria

I want to learn how to better manage my emotions.

Identifying as Chinese or Chinese American

Having a smart-phone compatible with the research mobile phone app

Exclusion Criteria

Not able to read or write English

I am currently getting help for my mental health.

I am unable to understand or sign the consent form.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a 20-min online baseline questionnaire

1 day

1 visit (virtual)

Intervention

Participants receive daily video-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training for up to four weeks

4 weeks

Daily virtual interactions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for emotion regulation and self-efficacy through daily assessments

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills video intervention

Trial Overview

The study is testing an intervention using animated videos based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) designed to help participants cope with emotional challenges and improve self-efficacy in health care settings.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Change-oriented skills followed by acceptance-oriented skills Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Administration of change-oriented skills videos first followed by acceptance-oriented skills videos.

Group II: Acceptance-oriented skills followed by change-oriented skills Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Administration of acceptance-oriented skills videos first followed by change-oriented skills videos.

Group III: Assessment only Active Control 1 Intervention

Daily assessment of emotion regulation and self-efficacy variables.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Lead Sponsor

Trials

471

Recruited

81,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 70 individuals with borderline personality disorder undergoing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), those who frequently used DBT skills were less likely to self-harm and had lower dropout rates, indicating that skills practice is crucial for treatment success.

Higher self-efficacy was also linked to reduced self-harm, suggesting that building confidence in using DBT skills is important, while factors like therapeutic alliance and treatment credibility did not independently affect self-harm or dropout rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Skills use and common treatment processes in dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder. Barnicot, K., Gonzalez, R., McCabe, R., et al.[2022]

A pilot study involving five Latinx participants indicated that online dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills groups significantly reduced emotional dysregulation, showing a large effect size compared to placebo sessions.

While depression symptoms improved with online DBT, anxiety levels did not show the same reduction, suggesting that while DBT is effective for emotional regulation, it may need adjustments to better address anxiety in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of a brief online skills group of dialectical behaviour therapy for emotional dysregulation in Latinx: a withdrawal experimental single-case design. Muñoz-Martínez, AM., Gómez, Y., Naismith, I., et al.[2023]

In a pilot study involving six participants, the modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills System (DBT-SS) showed a decrease in challenging behaviors and an increase in overall functioning after 48 therapy sessions, indicating its potential effectiveness for individuals with cognitive difficulties.

Participants also experienced a reduction in hospital admissions, suggesting that DBT-SS may help improve emotional regulation and reduce the need for emergency care in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dialectical behavior therapy-skills system for cognitively challenged individuals with self-harm: a Swedish pilot study. Rosendahl-Santillo, A., Lantto, R., Nylander, L., et al.[2023]

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Skills Video Intervention for Emotion Regulation

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DBT Skills from Experts

Mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation and interpersonal effective skills all in 5(ish) minutes or less!