NCJ Number
242106
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 37 Issue: 2-3 Dated: February/March 2013 Pages: 133-138
Date Published
March 2013
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article discusses findings from studies that have identified common elements from borderline personality disorder that can be applied to the treatment of survivors of child abuse who engage in self-injurious behavior.
Abstract
Previous research has identified links between borderline personality disorder (BPD), self-injurious behavior (SIB), and child abuse. Additional research suggests that these common elements can be applied to the treatment of survivors of child abuse who engage in SIB. The elements are discussed in detail in this article and include construction of a coherent treatment model for SIB, development of an active therapeutic stance by the therapist, validation balanced with change-oriented techniques, and fostering a sense of self-agency that survivors of child abuse often lack. Additional common elements include improvement in the patient's ability to connect actions and feelings, differentiation between lethal and non-lethal suicide intention, and improving therapists' access to supervision. The detailed discussions of each of these elements include suggestions for methods by which the elements can be incorporated in practice by mental health professionals working with adult survivors of child abuse who engage in SIB. Recommendations for continued research are discussed. Table and references