Implementing Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) in Norway: An Open Multicentre Study

BACKGROUND: Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS) is a well-established treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD) with good empirical and research support, buttressed by studies conducted in several countries. However, its implementation has not yet been evaluated in Norway; for that reason, the aim of this study was to examine the outcomes associated with STEPPS in a Norwegian routine clinical setting. METHODS: An uncontrolled naturalistic study was conducted at three local hospitals using a sample of treatment-seeking patients who completed the 20-week STEPPS programme. T-tests were performed and the effect size results for 168 patients who completed treatment were included in our analysis. RESULTS: The results showed reductions in borderline and depressive symptoms and improvements in daily functioning and quality of life following treatment. Pre-post effect sizes ranged from d = 0.6 to 1.1, indicating medium to large effects. Treatment gains were largely maintained over a 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are comparable with those of previous studies on STEPPS, which were conducted in other countries, indicating that STEPPS may be expected to be successfully implemented in a Norwegian setting as well.