Effect of psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder on quality of life: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Farid Chakhssi*, J. Monique Zoet, Jeanine M. Oostendorp, Matthijs L. Noordzij, Marion Sommers-Spijkerman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Whereas several meta-analyses have shown that psychotherapy is effective for reducing borderline personality disorder (BPD) pathology, the overall impact of psychotherapy for BPD on quality of life (QoL) remains as yet unclear. Because impaired QoL is associated with poor long-term outcomes after therapy for BPD, this seems a timely and relevant issue. The authors conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of psychotherapies for adults diagnosed with BPD that reported results of QoL at posttreatment. Fourteen trials were included (1,370 individuals with BPD). Psychotherapies for BPD relative to control conditions showed significant effect sizes for QoL (Cohen’s d = 0.31; 95% CI [0.18, 0.44]), and for BPD pathology (d = 0.43; 95% CI [0.23, 0.64]). The effect on QoL was not significantly moderated by the effect on BPD pathology. Psychotherapies for BPD have a positive effect on QoL of patients with BPD. However, more studies are needed to examine the impact of psychotherapy on QoL and long-term outcome, including recovery.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)255-269
Number of pages15
JournalJournal of personality disorders
Volume35
Issue number2
Early online date25 Mar 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Meta-analysis
  • Psychotherapy
  • Quality of life
  • Systematic review

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