Mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

Children of mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are a particularly vulnerable population who have thus far been relatively neglected in the empirical research within the field of clinical psychology. This paper aims at identifying the need for increased research on the psychosocial outcomes of these children. Diagnostic characteristics of the disorder, such as problems with interpersonal relationships and instability of sense of self, impede a mother with BPD’s ability to face the challenges associated with parenting and negatively affect her explicit parenting behaviors. These maladaptive parenting behaviors of the mother with BPD are anticipated to negatively affect child development. This paper explores the cognitive and social/emotional development of children of mothers with BPD. Increased research on this population is called for and future directions are suggested.