Experiences of mothers with borderline personality disorder following an intervention to support mother‐infant relationships: “more tools in my toolbox”

Abstract Motherhood is inherently demanding, and some of these demands may be amplified for women with borderline personality disorder (BPD). The exacerbation of BPD symptoms from parenting‐related stressors can have adverse impacts on mother‐infant relationships and infant development. This qualitative study explores Australian mothers’ views of the impacts of mother‐infant dialectical therapy plus (MI‐DBT+). MI‐DBT+ is an innovative therapeutic intervention which integrates mother‐infant dialectical behavior Therapy (MI‐DBT), a known effective intervention for the mental health of mothers with BPD, with attachment and biobehavioral catch‐up (ABC) therapy. Specifically, eight mothers completed semi‐structured interviews about their experiences of intervention following completion of the MI‐DBT+ program. A thematic analysis of this interview data found that mothers appreciated learning more skills to enhance their understanding of their infants’ needs, behaviors and emotions. Mothers also reported improved reflective functioning and better control of their emotional responses. These skills assisted in managing emotional distress at both the individual and dyadic level. The study was limited due to available demographic data, with only maternal and child age available. Discussion also focuses on the fit between DBT and ABC, longer term developmental concerns and sustainability.