Self-other model in the context of life narratives of women with trait of borderline personality disorder: A qualitative study

Disturbance relationships are among the main problems of people with traits of borderline personality disorder. An unpleasant parent-child relationship leads to a lack of stability sense, differentiation, and self-other disturbance. Although self-other disturbance has been considered one of the main criteria for borderline personality disorder for a long time, it has been neglected compared to its other aspects.

The present study aimed to identify the self-other pattern in women with borderline personality disorder.

The current research was basic research with a mixed approach using qualitative and quantitative methods. The statistical population included women with traits of borderline personality disorder, in addition to psychology and psychiatry specialists in Mashhad and Tehran in 2021. 15 women with traits of borderline personality disorder were selected from Ibn Sina Hospital in Mashhad by convenience sampling using Leichsenring's borderline personality questionnaire (1999). The data was collected in the qualitative part using Leichsenring's borderline personality questionnaire and semi-structured interview, and in the quantitative part using a researcher-made questionnaire and then analyzed by content analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

The results indicated the model of self-other includes components such as “relation to parents”, “relation to the opposite sex” and “unsuccessful relationships”. Results of factor analysis also indicated “relation to parents” has the most contribution to the model.

Self-other disturbance in women with a borderline personality disorder is fundamental and a result of initial unstable relationships with parents. Therefore, the findings of the current study can be used in the treatment of individuals with borderline personality disorder.