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ViewAttendees 2

Symposia

Personality Disorders

Engaging and understanding the communities of people with borderline personality disorder: Experiences of and interventions for family and partners

2 - (SYM 80) Reducing Burden and Increasing Hope for the Families of People with Borderline Personality Disorder and Suicide Risk: A National Study of Family Connections in Canada

Saturday, November 16, 2024
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Location: Grand Ballroom D, Level 5, Downtown Marriott
Abstract Body
Internationally, over 700,000 people die by suicide each year, with the World Health Organization declaring suicide prevention as global imperative. While research has explored numerous ways to improve the lives of those experiencing suicide, the importance and effect on the family is frequently overlooked. Family members contribute to the treatment gains and overall functioning of people experiencing suicide and experience significant feelings of burden, depression, shame and grief themselves. This emotional load may further worsen or impede communication and interpersonal relationships with the loved one in their care, contributing to a worsening of symptoms for all involved. A population at heightened risk for suicide and these associated processes are those with borderline personality disorder (BPD). While several interventions have been developed to support the family members of those experiencing suicide and those with BPD, Family ConnectionsTM [FC], a peer-led, education, skills, and support program derived from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), has significant empirical support.

Further research on FC is needed to enhance scientific knowledge and benefit this community. First, while FC was designed as a peer-led program (meaning groups are led by highly trained, former group members), most researched groups have included clinician co-leaders (significantly increasing the cost and viability of implementing FC). Second, it is unknown if researchers have engaged with this community to formulate research questions. Community engaged research provides equitable, informed research design that directly impacts services provided.

The present project highlights a community engaged research design where research questions, methods, and knowledge translation activities have been centered on the feedback and input of family members of people with BPD. Approximately 100 family members participating in FC will be recruited for this study. Participants will complete an online questionnaire battery before beginning the FC program and will be contacted at the conclusion of the group to repeat the battery.

Thus, the research focus for this talk will center on impacts noted by the community of practice as important outcomes, impacts, and processes.

< !1. Outcome: Does hope and acceptance increase and do anger and shame decrease?

< !2. Impact: Do interpersonal relationships and communication strategies with loved ones improve?

< !3. Process: Does skill use explain these changes?