Date

12-19-2023

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Rachel Piferi

Keywords

borderline personality disorder, romantic relationships, partner, religious practice, BPD education, personal well-being, relationship satisfaction

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) presents a complex mental health condition marked by a consistent pattern of instability in mood, self-perception, behavior, and interpersonal connections (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). In romantic relationships, such intense and unpredictable emotions can make life particularly challenging for a non-BPD partner. This cross-sectional quantitative study aimed to investigate the psychological impact on non-BPD diagnosed romantic partners of individuals suffering from borderline personality disorder (BPD). Self-reported assessments were collected online from participants (N = 77) to explore potential correlations between the non-BPD partner's history of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), their level of knowledge regarding BPD, religious practices, and their mental well-being and assessment of the quality of their relationship. Results indicated a significant role for BPD knowledge level in predicting both relationship quality and mental well-being among adults in a relationship with a partner diagnosed with BPD. However, the data did not reveal significant predictive correlations between the non-BPD partner's religious practice or childhood history of ACEs with either relationship quality or mental well-being. This study contributes to understanding the impact of BPD on partners within romantic relationships and adds to the existing body of research in this area. The findings underscore the importance of education and awareness regarding BPD in improving the well-being of the non-BPD partners in such relationships.

Included in

Psychology Commons

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