What happens next? A 2-year follow-up study into the outcomes and experiences of an adapted Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills training group for people with intellectual disabilities

Background: This paper reports quantitative and qualitative follow‐up data from three participants who attended a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) group for people with an intellectual disability.Materials and Methods: Quantitative data regarding psychological well‐being, psychological distress (measured using the Psychological Therapies Outcome Scales; PTOS) and quality of life (measured using the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales—Learning Disability; HONOS‐LD) are reported for pre‐group, post‐group and at 6‐month and 2‐year follow‐up. Interviews were conducted with participants post‐group and at 2‐year follow‐up. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results: Improvements in scores on measures of psychological well‐being, psychological distress and quality of life appear to be maintained at 6‐month follow‐up, but scores at 2‐year follow‐up suggest a return to baseline. Qualitative self‐report data suggest a number of interesting ways participants adapted and individualised techniques from the group, as well as suggesting possible barriers to maintaining change in the longer term.Conclusions: Clinical implications are considered to improve effectiveness of similar interventions, as well research implications in order to improve knowledge about the longer term impact of group DBT interventions.