Abstract
This study aimed to determine how patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) perceive their families. Qualitative research in the form of a multiple case study design and an availability sample, consisting of three white BPD patients, was used. Patients' ages (two males and one female) ranged between 18 and 30 years. Data were obtained by means of semi-structured interviews and the Graphic Family Sculpting Technique. After open, axial and selective coding, five main categories and eight sub-categories emerged. The results indicated redundant communication and interaction patterns to be prominent in families with a BPD patient. Family relationships were perceived as unstable and emotionally intense, marked by ambivalence towards one another, intimacy dysfunctions, abusive interactions, as well as dysfunctional boundaries. Normal family functioning, and the fulfilment of emotional and other needs appeared to have been prevented by reversed and rigid roles, deficient nurturing and support, as well as ineffective communication. The ineffective parental modelling of behaviour control and coping mechanisms seemed to have intensified unstable behaviour patterns, weak personal boundaries, problematic characteristics and poor problem-solving behaviour in the BPD patients. It is concluded that these findings can be therapeutically useful. Patients can reflect upon themselves and their families, and learn about the differences between intimacy and intensity, more effective family roles and personal boundaries, effective communication, as well as constructive behaviour control and coping styles and can therefore be empowered to adjust their behaviour accordingly. Further research involving larger patient samples is needed.
Keywords
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
