Effectiveness of Schema Therapy Interventions for Borderline Personality Features in Young Adults

Abstract

Different cognition-based therapeutic approaches have been used to treat borderline personality disorder but there seems to be a lack of resources for dealing with borderline personality features. The aim of the present research was to explore the effectiveness of schema therapy interventions in the context of two objectives; primary objective was to reduce borderline personality features of young adults and secondary objective was to increase their subjective well-being. To achieve these goals, six hypotheses were framed. It was hypothesized that borderline personality features (unstable self-perception, affect regulation difficulties, self-destructive behavior, dysphoria, loneliness, hostile attitude and negative intrusive thoughts) of experimental group participants will reduce significantly from pretest to posttest after receiving the interventions of schema therapy. It was further hypothesized that there will be a significant difference in borderline personality features (unstable self-perception, affect regulation difficulties, selfdestructive behavior, dysphoria, loneliness, hostile attitude and negative intrusive thoughts) between experimental group and wait-list control group participants in the posttest. Third hypothesis stated that there will be a significant difference in borderline personality features (unstable self-perception, affect regulation difficulties, selfdestructive behavior, dysphoria, loneliness, hostile attitude and negative intrusive thoughts) between experimental group and wait-list control group participants in the follow-up. For the secondary measure, it was hypothesized that experimental group participants’ subjective well-being will increase significantly from pretest to posttest after receiving the interventions of schema therapy. Fifth hypothesis postulated that there will be a significant difference of subjective well-being between experimental group and waitlist control group participants in the posttest. Lastly, it was hypothesized that there will be a significant difference of subjective well-being between experimental group and waitlist control group participants in the follow-up. The research included 17 participants, who were divided in experimental (n=9) and wait-list control (n=8) groups. The schema therapy clinician’s guide (Farrell et al., 2014) was utilized to develop an intervention plan based on 12 individual therapy sessions and a follow-up session with an interval of two weeks. The measures of Borderline Symptom List-95 (BSL-95; Bohus et al., 2007), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al., 1985), Young Schema Questionnaire- Short Form – 3rd Edition (YSQ-S3; Young, 2014) and Schema Mode Inventory – 1st Edition (SMI-1.1; Young et al., 2014) were utilized to assess participants’ borderline personality features, global well-being, life satisfaction, schemas, and modes, respectively. The scores of global well-being and life satisfaction were assessed together to evaluate subjective well-being of participants. The results supported one hypothesis and partially supported remaining five hypotheses. The findings showed a significant decrease in experimental group participants’ borderline personality features and on all the features independently in posttest, except for self-destruction. A significant difference in borderline personality features was found between experimental and wait-list control groups in posttest (g=1.72) and follow-up (g=1.34). Moreover, a significant difference on all the borderline personality features was found between both groups in posttest, except for self-destruction, and a significant difference was observed on affect regulation difficulties, dysphoria and loneliness in follow-up. The results further revealed a significant increase in global well-being of experimental group participants in posttest and follow-up, but not in life satisfaction. Intriguingly, the difference between experimental and wait-list control groups on both global well-being (g=1.99) and life satisfaction (g=1.05) in posttest was found to be significant. Though, the significant difference was maintained in follow-up on the aspect of global well-being only. Despite these mixed results, the effect size was large for both global well-being and life satisfaction in posttest and follow-up (g=1.97, g=1.19). Additional findings of the research also indicated significant reductions in maladaptive schemas and mode activation of experimental group participants. It can be concluded from the results of current research that schema therapy interventions can be effective in alleviating borderline personality features and boosting a sense of subjective well-being in young adults. Additional research is recommended to be done in the relevant domain on a larger sample size and diverse population to further explore the benefits of schema therapy.