Parenting Styles in Borderline Personality Disorder

Background: Personality disorders (PDs) are often influenced by early circumstances such as parenting. Parenting remains a subjective experience which has not been well studied in the context of PDs from the perspectives of parents and their children. Aims: This study examined the parenting styles in the form of perceived parenting in youth with borderline PD (BPD) and parenting experiences of their parents. Settings and Design: We employed a mixed-methods cross-sectional study design to assess youth aged between 16 and 24 years diagnosed with BPD and their parents, who sought treatment at a tertiary care psychiatric hospital. Methods: Youth ( n = 5) and their parents ( n = 8) were assessed on the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM 5 for PD, MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview 7.0.2, and the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire – Short Form. Two youth and two parents from the primary sample were selected for a semi-structured interview on parenting. Statistical Analysis: Parenting style scores were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the interview data. Results: Youth with BPD perceived parenting as authoritarian and scored their parents lowest on the autonomy-granting dimension of authoritative parenting style. Verbal hostility was scored highest for parents. Parents of youth with BPD perceived their parenting style as authoritative, viewing themselves as warm and supportive. In the interviews, youth reported high criticality; they expressed dissatisfaction with parenting styles and need for support. The parents reported the negative influence of marital discord on parenting styles, and the need for open communication. Conclusions: Parenting styles are perceived differently by youth with BPD and their parents. Presence of psychopathology and individual personality traits of both youth and parents seem to play an important role in determining parenting, which needs further exploration.