'It makes me not worthy to be a father from time to time': the experiences of fathers with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lumsden, Virginia; Kerr, Shelley; Feigenbaum, Janet
• Is Part Of: Journal of family studies. Volume 24:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 109
• Page End: 125
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: borderline personality disorder -- fathers -- interpretative phenomenological analysis -- qualitative -- parenting; Families -- Periodicals; Family; Famille -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 306.85
• DOI: 10.1080/13229400.2015.1108859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1322-9400

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of fathers with a diagnosis of BPD. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight fathers with a diagnosis of BPD. The interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Analysis revealed common themes across participants: fatherhood as a transformative experience; 'being a dad means being there'; and challenges to 'being there'. Each superordinate theme contained subthemes and whilst there were consistent patterns of experience, there was also individual variation. The findings suggest that whilst fathers with a diagnosis of BPD have a considerable amount in common with fathers in general, there are unique aspects to their experience that arise as a consequence of the symptoms of BPD. These unique aspects have important clinical implications with regard to engaging and supporting fathers with a diagnosis of BPD.