ABSTRACT
Although there are many competing models concerning the development, treatment, recovery, and relapse of borderline personality disorder (BPD), the one area of emerging consensus is that both individual and family factors play central roles. For example, Linehan’s (1) biosocial or transactional model for BPD includes both individual factors (e.g., vulnerability to emotion dysregulation) and an invalidating social and family environment, which transact reciprocally, each exacerbating the other. Similarly, Zanarini and Frankenberg (2) suggest that the combination of individual temperamental factors (‘‘hyperbolic’’), historical or developmental factors (e.g., abuse and neglect, invalidation) and current stressful events are responsible for BPD. Just about all major theories of BPD hold a central role for families in the development, maintenance, and treatment of the disorder. Empirically, although the salutary role of family interventions in the treatment of many disorders has been well established (3), only recently has research on employing family interventions as part of the treatment package for BPD become more available.
