Dialectic behavioral therapy-family skills training for antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders in China

Backgound: In China, most patients with mental problems are treated outside hospital, and family therapy is a reasonable choice for them. Using a variety of skills trainings, family therapy successfully manages Axis I symptoms of the borderline personality disorder sufferers. Methods: We therefore applied this therapy to the patients with antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders and their family members. Twenty-two out of 50 patients with antisocial, and 14 out of 30 with narcissistic personality disorders completed the eight session family therapy. Patients' Axis I symptoms were measured with a self-reported visual analogue scale, the depressive mood was measured with the P1utchik - van Praag Depression Inventory (PVP), and Axis II personality dysfunctions were measure with the Parker Personality Measure (PERM). Their results before and after the therapy were compared to those obtained in 30 healthy volunteers. Results: After the therapy, most self-reported symptoms and PVP scores were significantly lowered in both patient groups, the PERM antisocial T-score in the antisocial group and the PERM narcissistic T-score in the narcissistic group were also significantly decreased. As repeated measures, PERM scale scores were not significantly modified by the therapy in the antisocial group, but some scores were significantly normalized in the narcissistic group. Conclusions: The short-session family therapy in China could significantly reduce the Axis I symptoms in the two groups, and normalize some Axis II dysfunctions in the narcissistic rather than in the antisocial group.