RECOGNITION OF BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER SYMPTOMS IN PARENTS WHEN THE CHILD’S WELFARE IS AT RISK: PERSPECTIVE OF EXPERTS FROM SOCIAL WELFARE CENTRES

Granični poremećaj ličnosti je učestali psihički poremećaj koji se manifestira kroz simptome afektivne nestabilnosti, impulzivnog i nekontroliranog ponašanja, poremećaj identiteta, nestabilne interpersonalne odnose i moguće pogreške u testiranju realnostiuslijed kojih osoba može imati značajnih poteškoća u osobnom, roditeljskom, obiteljskom, socijalnom i radnom funkcioniranju. U ovom radu prikazani su rezultati kvalitativnog istraživanja »Prepoznavanje simptoma graničnog poremećaja ličnosti roditelja u situacijama ugrožene dobrobiti djeteta« u kojem je sudjelovalo 12 socijalnih radnika i psihologa iz Odjela za zaštitu djece, obitelji i braka centara za socijalnu skrb na području Grada Zagreba i Zagrebačke županije. Istraživanje je provedeno metodom polustrukturiranog intervjua. U obradi podataka korištena je tematska analiza. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da stručnjaci u svakodnevnom radu u situacijama ugrožene dobrobiti djeteta prepoznaju različite simptome afektivne nestabilnosti, impulzivnog i nekontroliranog ponašanja, smetnji identiteta, nestabilnih i intenzivnih interpersonalnih odnosa te teškoća testiranja realnosti koje su potencijalno povezane s mogućim graničnim poremećajem ličnosti roditelja. Kao otežavajuću okolnost u radu s ovim roditeljima stručnjaci iz centara za socijalnu skrb navode poteškoće suradnje sa stručnjacima iz zdravstvenog sustava.Borderline personality disorder is a common mental disorder with the symptoms of affective instability, impulsive and uncontrolled behaviour, identity disorder, unstable interpersonal relationships, and possible reality-testing errors, due to which the affected person can experience significant difficulties in personal, parental, family, social and professional functioning. This paper presents the results of a qualitative study on the recognition of symptoms of borderline personality disorder in parents when a child’s welfare is at risk, including 12 social workers and psychologists from the Department for the Protection of Children, Family and Marriage of the social welfare centres in the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County. The research was conducted using the method of a semi-structured interview. Thematic analysis was used for data processing. The results of the research show that in their daily work, in situations when a child’s welfare is threatened, experts recognise different symptoms of affective instability, impulsive and uncontrolled behaviour, identity disorders, unstable and intensive interpersonal relationships, as well as difficulties with reality testing, which may be related to possible borderline personality disorder in parents. Experts from social welfare centres mention difficulties in cooperation with healthcare professionals as an aggravating circumstance in working with this group of parents