Maryam Mousavi Nik - PhD in Clinical Psychology, Naser Khosrow Higher Education Institute,Saveh-Iran,
Behrooz Birashk - Faculty of Clinical Psychology, School of Behavioral Science and Mental Health, Tehran Psychiatric Institute, Metal Health Research Center, Iran University of medical Sciences,Tehran-Iran

Effective and affordable therapies are needed for older adults. In this research we evaluated the effectiveness of a modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)protocol for improving symptoms and functioning in a group of older adults. We provided 7 months of weekly DBT skills training in a group setting. Results showed significant improvements from pre to post treatment on adaptive coping that are proposed to create vulnerability to depression and improvements in depression symptoms, sleep, quality of life and community functioning. The study findings suggest that the group skills training component of DBT can be successfully implemented for old adults and that further research to determine its efficacy in comparison to other treatments is warranted.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Group Therapy, Skills Training,Depression, And Older Adults