BPD crisis intervention experiences: a case study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A case study of people diagnosed with ‘borderline personality disorder’, support persons and health and social care workers: experiences of crisis and crisis intervention
IRAS ID
296337
Contact name
Catriona Kennedy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Robert Gordon University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
This study seeks to explore the crisis and crisis intervention experiences of people diagnosed with 'borderline personality disorder' ('BPD'), the people who support them, and health and social care workers involved. The information gathered will be reviewed and compared to gain new understandings, so we can better understand what care and support can help.
People diagnosed with BPD can have frequent crises where they can feel overwhelmed and have difficulties with their thoughts, feelings and behaviour. This study will interview people diagnosed with 'BPD' and also any people who support them, such as friends or family, and any health and social care workers involved in their care. Interviews will be done with people with the 'BPD' diagnosis at the centre of a case, then additional people the person diagnosed with BPD wants to be included. This will be a case study, with the case centred around a person diagnosed with BPD, but also including others to provide additional perspectives within the same case. The study wants to find out what people think and feel about their experiences of crisis and crisis intervention, and also wants to find out what people who support them and health and social care workers think and feel, to understand the topic from different perspectives.
The study wants to interview six people with the 'BPD' diagnosis, and the support persons and health and social care workers they identify. Interviews will be arranged with consideration for people's personal preferences (and covid-19 restrictions), and may be face to face, over video call or phone call.Summary of results
Crisis and the use of crisis intervention is described as frequent for people diagnosed with ‘BPD’, though as yet the quality of evidence is described as poor, and often people are offered standard care with no clear model of intervention. ‘Borderline personality disorder’ is recognised as a stigmatised diagnosis and experiences of poor care during crisis are not uncommon. This study sought to capture a depth of experience, and to begin to chart a path towards improved care.
The study was of qualitative design, adopting a case study approach to explore crisis intervention from the perspective of service users, family and friends, and professionals.
Data was collected through interviews with people diagnosed with ‘BPD’, their family and friends, and professionals who work with them. Semi-structured interviews utilised a topic guide to remain consistent with study objectives. A thematic analysis was constructed using constant comparison.
Six cases included six people diagnosed with ‘BPD’, four family and friends, and six professionals. Data analysis saw the construction of five themes; crisis as a multidimensional experience, entering a confused and anxious system, acts and omissions which lead to harm, the complex simplicity of helping people in crisis, and building a better service. A concept map was developed to capture the possible journey through crisis and crisis intervention and its complex influences.
This study offers depth to understanding the experiences around crisis and crisis intervention for people diagnosed with ‘BPD’, and highlights areas for improvement across professional systems as well as future directions of improved care.REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
21/ES/0074
Date of REC Opinion
10 Sep 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion