Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Hilary Vidair, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Brit Lippman, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Jill Rathus, Ph.D.

Abstract

Emerging adults (ages 18-29) are at a heightened risk for developing mental illnesses, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and dying by suicide. Further, some emerging adults are considered to have “failed to launch” from their parents’ homes, leading to a postponement to full-fledged adulthood. While parents often play a significant role in their emerging adults’ lives, there is limited research on evidence-based treatment for emerging adults that systematically incorporate parents. Given the strong research support for Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) that includes parent involvement, it is sensible to consider applying developmentally tailored adaptations to additional populations and understand clinicians’ experiences of doing so in real-world clinical settings. However, there are currently no established guidelines in the literature on how to involve parents of emerging adults in DBT. The purpose of this study was to explore DBT clinicians’ experiences involving parents in their emerging adults’ treatment. Twenty clinical psychologists who have involved parents of emerging adults in DBT treatment participated in semistructured interviews focused on these experiences. Interview transcripts were analyzed by three coders using Auerbach and Silverstein’s (2003) grounded theory methodology. The transcripts were coded for relevant text, repeating ideas, themes, and theoretical constructs. Interrater reliability was assessed and a member check was completed. Three theoretical constructs were identified: 1. Parent Engagement in Emerging Adults’ DBT Can Improve Family Relationships and Increase Parents’ Effectiveness; 2. Challenges to Involving Parents Include Confidentiality, Fostering Independence, Differing Expectations, and Parental Mental Health; 3. Establishing Clear Guidelines for Parent Involvement with Emerging Adults May Enhance DBT and Help Clinicians Structure Treatment Plans. The findings from this study help generate a theoretical framework and recommendations for systematically incorporating parents of emerging adults into DBT treatment.

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