The first disorder-specific parenting training program for mothers with Borderline Personality Disorder (M-BPD) is evaluated in a randomized controlled trial. The training program is expected to have positive effects on parenting behavior, decrease the risk of maltreatment of the child, and improve emotion regulation in mothers at post treatment and at 6-month follow-up compared to a control group (treatment as usual; TAU). Additionally, disorder-specific aspects of dysfunctional parenting behavior as well as BPD-specific aspects of child maltreatment are compared to a clinical control group (mothers with anxiety and/or depression, M-AD/D) and a healthy control group (M-CON). To assess the differential development of parenting, the risk of maltreatment and emotion dysregulation in untreated M-BPD are compared to M-CON. The investigators expect the difference to increase over time, indicating a worsening in BPD parenting.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
240
The group programme is designed to teach mothers with BPD parenting skills and to reduce dysfunctional parenting attitudes and strategies. The components are: childrens basics needs, mindfulness, stress and stress reduction, dealing with conflicts, dealing with emotions, dysfunctional attitudes, physical contact, parenting rules, self care.
Freie Universität Berlin
Berlin, Germany
RECRUITINGChange in dysfunctional discipline practices
Parenting Scale (Arnold, O'Leary, Wolff \& Acker, 1993; german version: Erziehungsfragebogen-Kurzform, EFB-K; Miller, 2001). Questionniare measuring dysfunctional discipline practices in parents. Mean values range between 1-7 with higher values indicating more negative parenting strategies.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in positive and dysfunctional parenting strategies
Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (Frick, 1991; German DEAPQ-EL-GS; Reichle \& Franiek, 2007). The questionnaire assesses several parenting strategies with 7 subscales (positive parenting, responsible parenting, parental Involvement, poor monitoring/supervision, inconsistent discipline, corporal punishment, powerful implementation). Range 6-30, with higher values indicating more of the respective parenting strategy
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in child rearing competence
Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC, Gibeau- Wallston \& Wandersman, 1978; German FKE; Miller, 2001). The PSOC measures how parents perceive their child rearing competence. Range 0-96 with higher values indicating higher sense of competence.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in parental stress
Parental Stress Index (PSI, Abidin, 1995; German EBI; Tröster, 2010). The PSI is a dimensional rating of parental stress. Range 48 - 240 with higher values indicating higher stress.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in physical and psychological aggression towards child
Conflict Tactic Scale - Parent Child (CTS-PC; Strauss, 1998). The CTSPC measures the extent to which a parent has carried out specific acts of physical and psychological aggression. Range 0-300 with higher values indicating higher annual frequency
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in physical abuse potential
Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI, Milner, 1986, German EBSK; Deegener et al., 2009). The CAPI measures physical abuse potential with reference to the individual burden and three validity scales: a lie scale, a random response scale, and an inconsistency scale. t-values are calculated considering all scales.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in child neglect
Child Neglect Index (CNI; Trocmé, 1996). The CNI measures child neglect, rated by the diagnostician. Range 0-80 with higher values indicating higher neglect.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment) and for the intervention group after each session.
Change in emotion regulation
Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS; Gratz \& Roemer, 2004). Difficulties in emotion regulation are measured with a) awareness and understanding of emotions; (b) acceptance of emotions; (c) the ability to engage in goal-directed behavior, and refrain from impulsive behavior, when experiencing negative emotions; and (d) access to emotion regulation strategies perceived as effective. Range 36 - 180 with higher values indicating more problems in emotion regulation.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in mental distress
Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI, Derogatis, 1975; German: Franke, 2000). The BSI measures mental distress. Results are displayed via t-values.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
Change in borderline specific thoughts and feelings
Questionnaire of Thoughts and Feelings (QTF, Renneberg et al., 2010). The QTF measures borderline specific thoughts and feelings. Range 1-5 with higher values indicating more BPD-specific thoughts and feelings.
Time frame: day 0 (before treatment), week 12 (after treatment), month 9 (6 months after second assessment)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.