Predicting Change in Brief Treatment for BPD: The Role of Defensive Functioning and Pervasiveness in Relationship Patterns.
J Clin PsycholJun 2, 2026 (epub)
Meltem Yılmaz, Loris Grandjean, Hélène Beuchat et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial investigated the role of defensive functioning and core conflictual relationship themes (CCRT) in predicting symptom change in 60 patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) following 10 sessions of General Psychiatric Management (GPM) versus Treatment as Usual (TAU). The study found that patients with low CCRT pervasiveness improved more under GPM, while those with high pervasiveness benefited more from TAU.
Key findings
- The interaction between overall CCRT pervasiveness and treatment type significantly predicted affective disturbance change (b = 13.55, p = 0.03).
- Patients with low CCRT pervasiveness (< 70%) improved more under GPM.
- In TAU, low CCRT pervasiveness (< 50%) was linked to worsening affective symptoms.
Why it matters
Understanding how relational patterns influence treatment outcomes can help clinicians tailor interventions for patients with BPD, potentially improving symptom management and overall care.