Managing the ‘unmanageable’: Training staff in the use of dialectical behaviour therapy for borderline personality disorder

[Development of a self-report questionnaire for the measurement of stigmatizing attitudes of the psychiatric staff towards patients with borderline personality disorder]

OBJECTIVE

The development of a self-report questionnaire for quantitative measurement of stigmatizing attitudes of the psychiatric staff towards patients with borderline personality disorder.

METHOD

Online survey with psychiatrists, psychologists and nursing staff (n=94) in the (semi-)stationary psychiatric sector with translated items of an attitude questionnaire, followed by a principal component analysis and correlations between principal components and social distance.

RESULTS

Analyses revealed a 4-principal component structure (BPD-treatment difficulties, BPD-assessment of suicide risk, BPD-assumption of manipulative tendencies, BPD-negative emotions) with 63,60% explained variance and small to large correlations between principal components and social distance.

CONCLUSION

Results initially indicate possible validity and reliability of the developed questionnaire. Further analyses with larger sample size and confirmatory factor analysis for continued development are advised.

Working with People Presenting with Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder: The Attitudes, Knowledge and Confidence of Mental Health Nurses in Crisis Response Roles in Australia

Many people diagnosed with or presenting with borderline personality disorder (BPD) attend the emergency department (ED) when in crisis, and are often referred to mental health nurses for further assessment, and to arrange appropriate follow-up (MHNs). Little is known about the knowledge, skills, confidence and competence of MHNs working with this group in these specialist roles. This study sought to describe the attitudes of MHNs working in EDs and crisis services towards people who present with symptoms characteristic of BPD and to explore their knowledge of the diagnostic criteria of BPD. A descriptive survey tool comprised of 23 questions was adapted from a previously used survey with clinicians in a mental health service in Australia. Fifty-four nurses who identified as MHNs and were currently employed in EDs or crisis settings completed the survey online. These MHNs were found to hold positive attitudes towards people with BPD including being optimistic about recovery and treatment. The experience and education of MHNs now employed in EDs may have contributed to positive attitudes and self-reported confidence relative to other nurses. Further research ought to focus on how MHNs assist people with a diagnosis of BPD who present in crisis meet immediate needs and facilitate access to effective ongoing care and treatment.

Structural stigma and its impact on healthcare for borderline personality disorder: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and their carers/families continue to experience structural stigma when accessing health services. Structural stigma involves societal-level conditions, cultural norms, and organizational policies that inhibit the opportunities, resources, and wellbeing of people living with attributes that are the object of stigma. BPD is a serious mental illness characterized by pervasive psychosocial dysfunction including, problems regulating emotions and suicidality. This scoping review aimed to identify, map, and explore the international literature on structural stigma associated with BPD and its impact on healthcare for consumers with BPD, their carers/families, and health practitioners.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the literature encompassed MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and JBI Evidence-Based databases (from inception to February 28th 2022). The search strategy also included grey literature searches and handsearching the references of included studies. Eligibility criteria included citations relevant to structural stigma associated with BPD and health and crisis care services. Quality appraisal of included citations were completed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool 2018 version (MMAT v.18), the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses Tool, and the AGREE II: advancing guideline development, reporting, and evaluation in health care tool. Thematic Analysis was used to inform data extraction, analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of the data.

RESULTS

A total of 57 citations were included in the review comprising empirical peer-reviewed articles (n = 55), and reports (n = 2). Studies included quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, and systematic review designs. Review findings identified several extant macro- and micro-level structural mechanisms, challenges, and barriers contributing to BPD-related stigma in health systems. These structural factors have a substantial impact on health service access and care for BPD. Key themes that emerged from the data comprised: structural stigma and the BPD diagnosis and BPD-related stigma surrounding health and crisis care services.

CONCLUSION

Narrative synthesis of the findings provide evidence about the impact of structural stigma on healthcare for BPD. It is anticipated that results of this review will inform future research, policy, and practice to address BPD-related stigma in health systems, as well as approaches for improving the delivery of responsive health services and care for consumers with BPD and their carers/families.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/bhpg4 ).

The impact of educational interventions on modifying health practitioners' attitudes and practice in treating people with borderline personality disorder: an integrative review

BACKGROUND

The rising prevalence of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and suicidality represents substantial health burden worldwide. People with BPD experience high rates of crisis presentations and stigma when accessing health services. Educational interventions designed to modify health practitioners' attitudes and practice in treating people with BPD may assist in addressing this stigma. The current review aimed to identify and explore existing educational interventions designed to modify health practitioners' attitudes and practice in BPD; and determine what impact educational interventions have on improving health practitioners' responses towards people with BPD.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the literature was undertaken in MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and JBI Evidence-Based databases (from inception to February 2022). Secondary sources of literature included grey literature searches and handsearching the references of included studies as part of the comprehensive search strategy. The eligibility criteria included peer-reviewed empirical studies examining BPD-related educational interventions aimed at modifying health practitioners' attitudes and practice in treating people with BPD. Quality appraisal of the included studies were completed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool 2018 version (MMAT v.18) or the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Checklist for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses Tool. Thematic Analysis informed data extraction, analysis, interpretation, and narrative synthesis of the data.

RESULTS

A total of nine papers containing 991 participants across a diverse range of studies including, quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods, and a systematic review were included in this integrative review. Several BPD-related educational interventions designed to modify health practitioners' attitudes and practice in BPD exist. Findings suggest that training health practitioners in BPD-related educational interventions can enhance positive attitudes and change practice towards people with BPD; however, more high-quality studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

This review collated and summarized findings from studies examining the impact of BPD-related educational interventions on changing health practitioners' attitudes and practice in treating this population. Results from this review may help inform future research, policy, and practice in stigma-reduction strategies which would improve the delivery of responsive health services and care for people with BPD.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework ( https://osf.io/7p6ez/ ).

Personality disorder: its impact on staff and the role of supervision

Over the past decade attention to the provision of healthcare for individuals with personality disorder, particularly those who pose a risk to others, has substantially increased. Keeping pace with such developments with a suitably trained, consistent and motivated workforce, interfacing health and criminal justice systems where necessary, presents an enormous challenge. Staff must be experts in managing conflict at every level, while sustaining an optimistic and therapeutic orientation. Boundaried relationships provide the context for recovery for patients. Key principles and practices likely to promote resilience in personality disorder services, with a focus on the role of supervision, are outlined in order to support staff in keeping themselves afloat, their patients safe, and their services on target.

Community mental healthcare for people with severe personality disorder: narrative review

Aims and method

To assess the contents and the theoretical and empirical base of community mental healthcare (CMHC) for people with severe personality disorder. Medline and PsycINFO databases and handbooks were searched from 1980, as well as a recent meta-analysis and systematic review of trials in which CMHC served as the control condition.

Results

Community mental healthcare is a long-term community-based treatment within a supportive atmosphere, aimed at stability rather than change. Mostly offered by community psychiatric nurses, occupational therapists and social workers, it lacks a formal structure, as well as theoretical underpinnings that guide interventions.

Clinical implications

Community mental healthcare might profit from a more systematic application of effective ingredients from other treatments.

Effectiveness of a 10-week group program based on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills among patients with personality and mood disorders: findings from a pilot study

OBJECTIVES

Community mental health services are often required to manage people experiencing repeated crises. Personality disorders are not uncommon, accounting for up to one-third of such presentations. These patients are often difficult to treat, leading to a revolving-door phenomenon. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a pilot intervention in reducing psychological symptoms and distress, and examined the impact of the intervention on mental health service utilization.

METHODS

A pre- versus post-treatment evaluation was conducted of the effectiveness of a 10-week group psychological intervention based on Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills, conducted in a regional Australian community mental health service with patients diagnosed with either Cluster B personality disorder or a mood disorder.

RESULTS

Of those who completed the program ( N = 38 patients), 84% were female, with an average age of 35.13 years. Participants were active clients of the service for an average of 58.3 weeks prior to the program. They demonstrated significant improvements in quality of life and self-control, and a reduction in hopelessness, cognitive instability and dependence on mental health services.

CONCLUSIONS

Limiting the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy program to a short-term skills-based group component was successful with the targeted patient group; however, more research is required to establish the generalizability of these results.

Effects of dialectical behavior therapy skills training on outcomes for mental health staff in a child and adolescent residential setting

Training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills coaching is desirable for staff in psychiatric settings, due to the efficacy of DBT in treating difficult patient populations. In such settings, training resources are typically limited, and staff turnover is high, necessitating brief training. This study evaluated the effects of a brief training in DBT skills coaching for nursing staff working in a child and adolescent psychiatric residential program. Nursing staff (n = 22) completed assessments of DBT skill knowledge, burnout, and stigma towards patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) before and after a six-week DBT skills coaching training. Repeated measure ANOVAs were conducted to examine changes on all measures from pre- to post- treatment and hierarchical linear regressions to examine relationships between pre- training DBT knowledge, burnout, and BPD stigma and these same measures post-training. The brief DBT skill coaching training significantly increased DBT knowledge (p = .007) and decreased staff personal (p = .02) and work (p = .03) burnout and stigma towards BPD patients (p = .02). Burnout indices and BPD stigma were highly correlated at both time points (p < .001); however, while pre-training BPD stigma significantly predicted post-training client burnout (p = .04), pre-training burnout did not predict post-training BPD stigma. These findings suggest that brief training of psychiatric nursing staff in DBT skills and coaching techniques can result in significant benefits, including reduced staff burnout and stigma toward patients with BPD-related problems, and that reducing BPD stigma may particularly promote lower burnout.

Ameliorating Patient Stigma Amongst Staff Working With Personality Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-Management Versus Skills Training

BACKGROUND

Patients diagnosed with a personality disorder (PD) are often stigmatized by the healthcare staff who treat them.

AIMS

This study aimed to compare the impact on front-line staff of a self-management Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based training intervention (ACTr) with a knowledge- and skills-based Dialectical Behaviour Training intervention (DBTr).

METHOD

A service-based randomized controlled trial was conducted comparing the effects of 2-day ACTr (N = 53) and DBTr (N = 47) staff workshops over 6 months. Primary outcome measures were staff attitudes towards patients and staff-patient relationships.

RESULTS

For both interventions, staff attitudes, therapeutic relationship, and social distancing all improved pre- to postintervention, and these changes were maintained at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although offering different resources to staff, both ACTr and DBTr were associated with an improved disposition towards PD patients. Future research could evaluate a combined approach, both for staff working with PD patients and those working with other stigmatized groups.

Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) in the treatment of borderline personality disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex disorder that is difficult to treat. However, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan in the early 1990s, has emerged as a promising treatment option for those diagnosed with BPD. DBT is a multi-pronged treatment approach delivered normally in outpatient settings over 12 months and requires highly skilled and trained therapists. Many trials have provided evidence to support the use of DBT in the treatment of BPD. However, outcome measures vary and are mostly limited to measurable behavioural outcomes such as incidences of deliberate self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Two recent Cochrane reviews conclude that DBT does benefit those with BPD, but more robust evidence is needed. DBT training for health care professionals also has the potential to shift health care professionals' attitudes from one of therapeutic pessimism to one of optimism.

Personality disorders: illegitimate subject positions

The diagnosis of personality disorder is common in mental health nurse settings and is a term often used without critical consideration. In clinical practice, the term personality disorder has pejorative connotations, which arise out of the way in which these behaviours are constructed as behavioural rather than psychiatric. The discursive construction of categories of personality disorder are inculcated into clinical practice and become taken-for-granted by those in practice culture. The construction of some personalities as disordered and, therefore, illegitimate becomes natural. This paper provides a critical analysis of the diagnosis and suggests an approach to mental health nursing care that is more legitimizing for those people who receive psychiatric diagnoses.

Consumer-clinician co-taught training about borderline personality disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to provide further outcome data on a novel consumer-clinician co-taught borderline personality disorder training program.

METHOD

Participants (n=216) who attended consumer-clinician co-taught borderline personality disorder training had their ratings of the training compared to ratings of participants who attended the previous clinician-only borderline personality disorder training.

RESULTS

Mean training ratings of the consumer-clinician co-taught borderline personality disorder trainings were 37 percentile points higher (77th vs 40th percentile) than the ratings of the previous clinician-only borderline personality disorder training, which already had evidence of effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

Data confirm preliminary findings that adding a consumer-presenter to training adds considerable value.

Consumer-clinician co-taught borderline personality disorder training: a pilot evaluation

This paper describes a consumer-clinician co-taught borderline personality disorder training programme for clinicians, of whom the largest group were nurses, working in mental health and substance use fields. A pilot evaluation of 73 participants attending the training rated the training as superior to evaluations of an earlier clinician-only-taught training. This study of a novel co-taught training programme found that the consumer input added substantial value. Findings indicate that consumer input into education programmes can make a significant positive contribution to the delivery of mental health services training with likely impacts on mental health service delivery. The potential importance of the findings warrants a comprehensive multicentre study. Confirming the findings would have implications for future borderline personality disorder training programmes.