TY - BOOK

T1 - Diagnosis and therapeutic relationships: the perspectives of service users with a Borderline Personality Disorder diagnosis

AU - Green, Sophie

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - This thesis begins with a literature review exploring how individuals who have adiagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) experience the therapeutic relationship during psychological therapy. A systematic literature search identified 15 papers which were synthesised using a meta-ethnographic approach. Three third order themes emerged; valuing a therapeutic relationship, building a connection (based on trust), and coming together to navigate the therapeutic relationship. These findings highlight the importance of the therapeutic relationship across psychological therapies for people with a BPD diagnosisand that positive therapeutic relationships are needed for successful therapy. Clinical implications are discussed.The research paper explores service-user perceptions of how receiving a diagnosis of BPD affects wellbeing. Nine participants were interviewed, and data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory method. A model was developed which highlighted two key processes that influenced participants’ wellbeing. Firstly, the way in which the diagnosis was communicated, as this laid foundations for participants’ perceptions of the diagnosis. Secondly, participants’ experiences of the perceived advantages and disadvantages of living with the diagnosis, which included the responses of services, the influence on participants’social relationships and impact of stigma. The findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature surrounding mental health diagnosis and contributes by highlighting the specific processes and mechanisms which occur for people who receive a diagnosis of BPD. From the developed model clinical implications and areas of future research are proposed.The critical appraisal focuses on the findings of the empirical paper and processes of carrying out a grounded theory investigation. Issues around conducting research during theCovid-19 pandemic are also considered.

AB - This thesis begins with a literature review exploring how individuals who have adiagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) experience the therapeutic relationship during psychological therapy. A systematic literature search identified 15 papers which were synthesised using a meta-ethnographic approach. Three third order themes emerged; valuing a therapeutic relationship, building a connection (based on trust), and coming together to navigate the therapeutic relationship. These findings highlight the importance of the therapeutic relationship across psychological therapies for people with a BPD diagnosisand that positive therapeutic relationships are needed for successful therapy. Clinical implications are discussed.The research paper explores service-user perceptions of how receiving a diagnosis of BPD affects wellbeing. Nine participants were interviewed, and data were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory method. A model was developed which highlighted two key processes that influenced participants’ wellbeing. Firstly, the way in which the diagnosis was communicated, as this laid foundations for participants’ perceptions of the diagnosis. Secondly, participants’ experiences of the perceived advantages and disadvantages of living with the diagnosis, which included the responses of services, the influence on participants’social relationships and impact of stigma. The findings are discussed in relation to the existing literature surrounding mental health diagnosis and contributes by highlighting the specific processes and mechanisms which occur for people who receive a diagnosis of BPD. From the developed model clinical implications and areas of future research are proposed.The critical appraisal focuses on the findings of the empirical paper and processes of carrying out a grounded theory investigation. Issues around conducting research during theCovid-19 pandemic are also considered.

U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/1376

DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/1376

M3 - Doctoral Thesis

PB - Lancaster University

ER -