"Late onset" personality disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do older adults presenting with “late-onset” personality disorders have experiences consistent with personality disorders prior to their first contact with services?
IRAS ID
354703
Contact name
David Grinter
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 15 days
Research summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is the most prominent and well recognised of all current personality disorder (PD) categories. However, little is known about the development of BPD across the lifespan and into later life. It is believed by some that people can develop BPD for the first time in later life, which has been referred to as “late onset” BPD. However, there is evidence to suggest that these traits may be pre-existing and were being contained throughout the person’s life in a number of ways, for example through the support of a significant other. It may be that the loss of this support brings these traits to the surface. Therefore, there is a need to explore whether older adults presenting with BPD have experiences consistent with PD prior to significant first contact with services later in life, and whether there is evidence of it being contained. Speaking to individuals and their family members can help us understand this. This project has 2 main aims: 1) to explore whether there are patterns of emotional, interpersonal and social difficulties across the lifespan in later life presentations of PD (in the absence of contact with mental health services); 2). To find out whether there is evidence of bolstering, buffering, binding or other containing experience throughout the lifespan, and prior to contact with services. We plan to invite at least 10-15 older adults from Older People Psychology Services in NHSGGC and their family members to participate in interviews. This study may improve our understanding of PD diagnoses across the lifespan and create more equitable access to treatment.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
25/WS/0099
Date of REC Opinion
6 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion