A Single-Session Virtual Validation Intervention for Family Members of Youth Experiencing Emotion Dysregulation: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Family member validation has been found to reduce emotion dysregulation among youth. To date, however, no interventions exist to teach family members of youth experiencing emotion dysregulation the skill of validation exclusively. The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study was to test a single-session virtual intervention on the topic of validation for family members currently on a waitlist for the ‘Family Connections’ program. Results support the feasibility, acceptability and utility of the intervention including the single-session and virtual formats. The components of the intervention perceived as most useful to family members were practice exercises, the virtual chat function, and self-validation content. Applied knowledge of validation and perceived hope increased significantly following participation. This study offers preliminary evidence that validation may be a skill that can be learned in a single-session virtual intervention by family members of youth experiencing emotion dysregulation, and suggests implications for clinical practice, research, and theory.