Parenting of mothers with borderline personality disorder V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mothers with borderline personality disorder: Parenting perceptions, observations and perceived/desired support
IRAS ID
105429
Contact name
Julie Eyden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental condition characterised by emotional, behavioural, and interpersonal difficulties. It affects around 1-6% of the general population and is more often diagnosed in women. Research has shown that parenting may be particularly challenging for mothers diagnosed with BPD and that their offspring may be at risk for personal, social, and future mental health difficulties. The aim of our study is to investigate the understanding that mothers with BPD have regarding both optimal parenting, their own parenting, and the support they would like with parenting. This information may help to target future interventions to support mothers with BPD and their children.
To explore maternal parenting perceptions in phase 1, a research visit will be conducted in the participant’s home (or another location if preferred). The study will comprise of a task to rank ideal parenting behaviours, questionnaires exploring mother's own perceived parenting, and the level of social support they receive, and an observation of mother and child interacting in play. This visit is anticipated to take around 2 to 2½ hours. Mothers will be recruited from the Coventry & Warwickshire NHS partnership trust initially (and subsequently from other NHS trusts) and will include three groups of mothers: those with BPD, those with depression and those with no psychiatric diagnosis.
Phase 2 of the research will adopt a focus group design to explore the kind of support that mothers with BPD would like from a parenting programme. The topic will be introduced and guided to facilitate a group discussion. By providing a supportive open environment it will enable members of the group to collectively share their thoughts, suggestions and elaborate on those of other members. Should participants wish to be included but prefer not to discuss in a group, then there will be an option for individual interviews.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0076
Date of REC Opinion
5 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion