Treatment outcome for chronic PTSD among female assault victims with borderline personality characteristics: a preliminary examination

J Pers Disord. 2002 Feb;16(1):30-40. doi: 10.1521/pedi.16.1.30.22555.

Abstract

The present study examined the effect of the presence of borderline personality disorder characteristics (BPC) on patients' responses to cognitive behavioral treatment for chronic PTSD. Seventy-two female victims of sexual and non-sexual assault were randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions: prolonged exposure (PE), stress inoculation training (SIT), combined treatment (PE/SIT), and wait list control (WL). Treatment consisted of nine bi-weekly individual sessions. Seventeen percent of the patients met full (10%) or partial criteria (7%) for borderline personality disorder. A greater number of patients with BPC reported sexual assault in childhood compared to those without the symptomatology. Patients with BPC also reported more pre-treatment anger. In general, those with BPC benefited significantly from treatment, although at post-treatment, they were less likely to achieve good end-state functioning than those without such symptomatology. The relationship between BPC and treatment response will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / psychology*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Crime Victims / rehabilitation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Sex Offenses
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy*