#psychological study

RESPONSES OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSES TO PATIENTS WITH BPD

In 2006, an Australian study of 65 inpatient and outpatient psychiatric nurses and found that "the majority of participants perceived patients with BPD as manipulative, with nearly one-third of participants reporting that such patients anger them."

In 2007, a study examining "the attitudes of 26 psychiatric nurses working in acute adult psychiatric setting with regard to patients with BPD and patients with major depressive disorder, and concluded that participants were more helpful to patients with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder than to patients with BPD."

Another study in 2007, this time in Ireland, 65 inpatient psychiatric nurses were interviewed about their perceptions of patients with BPD, and found "that 80 percent of participants believed that patients with BPD were more difficult to take care of than other types of psychiatric patients."

In 2008, 6 inpatient and outpatient psychiatric nurses were interviewed about their perceptions of BPD patients, and found they were perceived as "powerful, dangerous, and unrelenting. Overall perceptions indicated that participants experienced patients with BPD in a negative manner that was summed up in the phrase, 'destructive whirlwind.'"

In 2010, two researchers reviewed 8 studies with sample sizes between 6 and 229 participants. "Overall, compared to non-BPD patients, researchers found that psychiatric nurses displayed significantly higher levels of social distancing toward patients with BPD."

RESPONSES OF PSYCHOTHERAPISTS TO PATIENTS WITH BPD

Only 3 studies could be found on this topic.

In the first study in 2007, 306 clinical psychologists were surveyed and asked "to rate their responses to patients with depression, borderline personality features, and schizophrenia," and reported that they distanced themselves from patients with borderline personality disorder because they were perceived as dangerous. Almost half of the respondents said they found such patients undesirable.

In an Australian study of 80 psychotherapists conducted in 2010, interviewers asked for participants' views regarding patients with BPD and patients with major depression. The respondents reported that they "felt less satisfied in their therapeutic role with such patients."

In the third study conducted in 2010, 174 psycotherapists in Munich were interviewed and reported that they "oftentimes experienced anxiety and demonstrated some prejudice in working with patients with BPD."

RESPONSES OF MIXED SAMPLES OF MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS TO PATIENTS WITH BPD

In an Australian study conducted in 2002, researchers found that, out of 229 staff members, 80% reported that "patients with BPD were moderately to very difficult to deal with," and 84% "believed that such patients were more difficult than other mental health patients."

In a New Zealand study in 2006, researchers surveyed 29 mental health clinicians, such as those working in inpatient, crisis, and outpatient services and found that 85% "reported having practiced in a manner that was not in the best interest of the patient."

In a UK study conducted in 2008, the general attitude among a group of mixed group of mental health clinicians was that people with personality disorders (not just BPD) "were more difficult to manage."

In a 2009 study conducted by both Australia and New Zealand, a group of 140 mixed mental health clinicians wrote down their "comments about [their] experience or interest in working with patients diagnosed with BPD. Respondents indicated that patients with BPD generated uncomfortable feelings within them. In addition, the respondents acknowledged specific negative feelings, including feelings of frustration, inadequacy, and being challenged. Respondents also perceived patients with BPD as manipulative and time-consuming, and believed that such patients have poor coping skills, engage in habitual crisis behaviors, and have difficulty interacting with others appropriately."

In a 2011 study from Israel, a mixed group of mental health clinicians working in public institutions were asked to provide their attitudes toward BPD. "Researchers found that psychologists scored lower than psychiatrists and nurses on antagonistic judgments, whereas nurses scored lower than psychiatrists and psychologists on apathy."