Self and identity in women with symptoms of borderline personality: A qualitative study

Abstract

Identity disturbance has been suggested to be a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, there is little known about the identity of individuals with symptoms of BPD from the participant's perspective. This study availed of in-depth lightly structured life story interviews with five female participants. Thematic analysis was utilized to derive three themes of identity: connection, distance between us, and hurt and healing. Results provided support for multiple and flexible conceptualizations of identity in comparison to the idea of a unitary self/identity. Results also suggested that participants were able to establish differing connections to others ranging from disconnection to intimacy and care. Participants reported that their identities were impacted upon by historical and current family/relationship dysfunction, but life stories also illustrated the positive impact of healing relationship experiences. Findings provide support for psychological theories that consider a multiple and relational self/identity and the empowerment of healthy aspects of the self in BPD recovery. Studies that assess the association between insight and change may further our knowledge into this complex population.

Identity in Personal Recovery for Mothers With a Mental Illness

“…The data also parallels Agnew and colleagues' study that “highlighted the complex and intertwined nature of traumatic experience, personality organization, and self/identity” [( 19 ), p. 8]. Crucially important in defining a self-concept within the current study, were women's experiences from the past, including trauma resulting from physical, psychological or sexual abuse, the quality of early life attachments, transience in housing and schooling, relationships with siblings and parents, experiences at school and access to physical and economic resources.…”

“…Researchers have explored the relationship between psychiatric symptoms and disruptions or incongruence in self-concept ( 19 , 20 ) including models of conceptualizing and mitigating the impact of complex trauma on ones' identity and healing ( 21 ). Wisdom et al ( 5 ) found loss of self to be the most prominent focus of narratives, with the illness “often described as taking away…their previously held identity” (p. 491).…”

Moving Toward Connectedness – A Qualitative Study of Recovery Processes for People With Borderline Personality Disorder

“…Such a formulation holds as a premise that this process starts from a state of disconnectedness. Reporting from a thematic analysis of interviews with five women diagnosed with BPD, Agnew et al (2016) found three identity themes, which they coin connection, distance between us, and hurt and healing. They describe how these women understood their suffering as having relational origins and relational solutions, and that in recovery, finding ways of connecting constructively to others was important.…”

“If you don’t have a word for something, you may doubt whether it’s even real” – how individuals with borderline personality disorder experience change

“…Previous qualitative research on BPD patients' subjective experience of recovery has identified connectedness as a relevant dimension in the change process. For example, reporting on a thematic analysis of interviews with five women diagnosed with BPD, Agnew et al (2016) described how the participants understood their suffering as having relational origins and therefore, relational solutions. Consequently, finding ways of connecting constructively with others was regarded as important in recovery.…”