Attachment in Adolescence and Borderline Personality Disorder

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been conceptualized as a constellation of symptoms related to problems in self-functioning, emotion regulation, and interpersonal relationships. Its etiology has been connected to individuals’ early childhood environment, caregiving relationships, and traumatic life events. Recent literature has noted the potential presence of BPD beginning in adolescence, or even earlier in childhood. Attachment theory offers a lens for understanding the symptoms of borderline personality disorder and identifying potential aspects of treatment that may be specifically valuable for adolescent patients. Adolescence marks a time when the attachment system has increased relevance due to the importance of identity formation, peer relationships, body representations and the development of autonomy at this time, in the face of physical changes and academic challenges. This article will summarize research on attachment, body representations, personality disorders, and features of development in adolescence, in order to enhance clinical understanding of patients who presenting with these types of difficulties.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Miriam Steele

Miriam Steele, PhD, is Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, at the New School for Social Research where she co-directs (with Dr. Howard Steele) the Center for Attachment Research. Dr. Steele is also an Anna Freud Center trained psychoanalyst.

Jordan Bate

Jordan Bate is a research manager at the Center for Attachment Research and doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at The New School for Social Research. She is currently working with Drs. Miriam and Howard Steele and Dr. Anne Murphy on evaluating the effectiveness of Group Attachment Based Intervention (GABI) for the prevention of child maltreatment.

Adella Nikitiades

Adella Nikitiades is a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at the New School for Social Research and lab manager at the Center for Attachment Research.

Bernadette Buhl-Nielsen

Bernadette Buhl-Nielsen, MD, is child and adolescent psychiatrist and member of the Danish Psychoanalytic Association, and the head of the Psychotherapy Clinic at the Dept of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Roskilde, Region Sjælland, Denmark and University of Copenhagen.