The Family Connections programme : a feasibility study

• Main Author: Pitfield, Christy
• Published: University College London (University of London) 2017
• Online Access: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.746823

AIMS: Being a family member to an individual with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is associated with high levels of burden, grief, depression and low levels of personal mastery. The aim of the study was to assess the feasibility of the Family Connections programme in the UK. The programme offers education, skills training and support to family members supporting an individual with BPD over 12-weekly group sessions. METHOD: Family members of individuals with BPD were recruited from an NHS trust. Recruitment, retention and the acceptability of the intervention were recorded to assess feasibility. Burden, grief, mastery, depression, mindfulness and emotional invalidation (EI) were measured at pre, post and at one month follow up to assess preliminary effectiveness of the programme. RESULTS: 31 participants started the programme and three of these dropped out. At the end of the programme there were significant reductions in family members levels of burden, grief, mastery, depression, mindfulness and EI. Participants reported that the intervention was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: The Family Connections programme is a promising intervention for family members of individuals with BPD that requires further study.