Evaluating the efficacy of the family connections program for family members of individuals with borderline personality disorder

Background: Family members of those with mental illness frequently assume roles of caregiver, advocate, and guardian, often resulting in experiences of burden, grief, and depression. Prior research has found that family members of individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) report more severe consequences to their mental health compared to family members of people suffering other psychiatric diagnoses. BPD is a psychological disorder characterized by unstable, intense affect and typically associated with behaviors (e.g., suicide attempts, self-harm) that shape stressful, chaotic family environments. Family Connections (FC) is a psychoeducational and support intervention for family members of individuals with BPD or those experiencing emotion regulation difficulties. Aims: The present study explores whether participation in FC is associated with: 1) reductions in various forms of negative emotionality (i.e., depression, burden, grief, negative affect, anger), 2) higher levels of positive affect, 3) increases in breadth and use of skillful coping mechanisms, and 4) gains in relationship satisfaction with their loved one. Method: Six FC groups, totaling 64 participants, were conducted in a university training clinic across three years with both family members and graduate student clinicians serving as group leaders. Participants completed a battery of self-report questionnaires prior to, after the sixth session, after the twelfth session, and three months following FC. Results: FC participation was associated with decreases in various negative emotions and increases in positive affect, skills use, and dyadic functioning, as findings yielded statistically significant levels of change for all variables examined pre- to post-assessment. Current results aligned with previous empirical studies on FC that revealed major improvements for burden and grief. Despite the changes demonstrated at post-treatment, not all significant changes were maintained three months following the program. Conclusions: Given the complexity of treating BPD, opportunities to approach psychological treatment from multiple perspectives is likely to be correlated with positive outcomes for clients and family members alike. This present study supported and expanded previous research prompting family members to participate in FC, while encouraging clinicians and clients to involve important people to the individual with BPD in treatment, progress, and growth.Psy.D.Includes bibliographical reference