Emergence of Borderline Personality Features in the Context of Normative and Traumatic Parenthood: Theoretical and Clinical Reflections

Abstract The theoretical and scientific literature review along with our clinical observations suggest that the emergence of borderline personality features during childhood can occur in the context of different parenthoods. In some cases, the caregivers adopt practices that are traumatic for the child. For the latter, borderline functioning proves to be a form of adaptation, allowing the child’s psychic survival within a chaotic environment. In other circumstances, parenthood can be described as normal because the parents have good enough caring abilities. In this case, the relational experiences that lead to the emergence of borderline personality features originate in the vulnerabilities related to the child’s temperament and the resulting relational experiences. Two clinical illustrations will support these theoretical reflections.