The feasibility of a one day Dialectical Behavioural Therapy skills workshop for friends, relatives and partners of people with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder

Background: People who have a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) experience a great deal of psychological distress. Their relationships with others can mediate their distress yet they find it difficult to maintain relationships. Method: This study examines the feasibility of a one day workshop teaching Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to the friends, relatives and partners of people who have a diagnosis of BPD. A single group, repeated measures design was used to test the primary outcome hypothesis; that one month after the workshop, attendees’ emotion regulation and mindfulness skills will be improved. A single cohort pre-post design was used to test the secondary outcome hypothesis; that a month after the workshop, people with BPD will rate the environment between themselves and their friend or relative as more validating. The feasibility of the workshop was addressed, in part, through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with the participants at one month follow up. Results: Recruitment to the workshop was poorer than expected; 22 people, invited by 17 clients with BPD, participated. There was no change in mindfulness or emotion regulation skills as a result of the workshop but there was a significant difference between the perceived invalidating environment before (Mdn=1.93, IQR=1.29) and one month after (Mdn=1.64, IQR=0.82) the workshop (p=.023). Qualitative findings suggest that friends and family developed self-efficacy, coping skills, felt less isolated and gained compassion for the person with BPD. Conclusions: A larger scale study is feasible but protocol modifications are necessary. A three armed randomised controlled trial comparing the one day DBT skills workshop, with a wait list control group and a teaching and social support group is recommended