A comparison of the families of mothers with borderline and nonborderline personality disorders

Compr Psychiatry. 1995 Mar-Apr;36(2):157-63. doi: 10.1016/s0010-440x(95)90110-8.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the families of procreation of mothers with borderline personality disorder (BPD) on measures of family stability, family satisfaction, and family environment. Families of nine BPD mothers were compared with families of 14 mothers with other personality disorders using a semi-structured interview to evaluate family history, the Family Environment Scale (FES), and the Family Satisfaction Scale (FSS). Families of procreation of BPD mothers were more unstable than comparison group families. FES scores of BPD mothers were significantly lower than controls in cohesion and organization, but not in conflict. Instability and low family cohesion are common in families of BPD mothers, and may place their children at increased risk for development of psychopathology.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Family / psychology*
  • Family Characteristics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mothers / psychology*