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
Recommended Citation
Pendleton, Carl, "The Psychological Impact on the Relational Partner of BPD-Diagnosed Persons" (2023). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5128.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5128
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.
