Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder

Background: Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggle with relationships because of impulsivity and emotional regulation difficulties. Specialised skills are needed for care, but existing models are lacking. A new model was developed to help psychiatric nurses support couples w...

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Main Authors: Andile G. Mokoena-de Beer, Annie Temane, Nompumelelo Ntshingila
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2025-04-01
Series:South African Journal of Psychiatry
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2450
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author Andile G. Mokoena-de Beer
Annie Temane
Nompumelelo Ntshingila
author_facet Andile G. Mokoena-de Beer
Annie Temane
Nompumelelo Ntshingila
author_sort Andile G. Mokoena-de Beer
collection DOAJ
description Background: Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggle with relationships because of impulsivity and emotional regulation difficulties. Specialised skills are needed for care, but existing models are lacking. A new model was developed to help psychiatric nurses support couples with one partner having BPD. This innovative psychiatric nursing model emphasises the need for implementation and evaluation in care. Aim: To explore the psychiatric nurses’ experiences of implementation of a model to facilitate constructive intra- and interpersonal relationships for couples in a relationship where one is living with BPD. Setting: The study was conducted at a mental health institution in Gauteng province where the one partner with BPD receives treatment. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative, exploratory design conducting in-depth interviews with psychiatric nurses who implemented the model, triangulated with observations and field notes and analysed thematically. Results: Four themes emerged, namely: (1) the model served as a helpful tool for empowerment; (2) the positive results yielded by the model; (3) challenges related to using the model; and (4) suggestions for expanding the model’s reach. The psychiatric nurses found the model acceptable and feasible to facilitate the relationships of couples where one is living with BPD. Conclusion: Psychiatric nurses need guidelines to enhance care for individuals with BPD, highlighting the importance of implementing supportive models to improve relationships in various settings. Contribution: Implementation of this model is unique in the care of persons living with BPD making it a valuable tool for psychiatric nurses in mental health care provision.
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spelling doaj-art-73ccd0a4e7dc468aba49b14c099c85522025-08-20T02:58:00ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry1608-96852078-67862025-04-01310e1e810.4102/sajpsychiatry.v31i0.2450771Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorderAndile G. Mokoena-de Beer0Annie Temane1Nompumelelo Ntshingila2Department of Nursing Science, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, PretoriaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgBackground: Individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) struggle with relationships because of impulsivity and emotional regulation difficulties. Specialised skills are needed for care, but existing models are lacking. A new model was developed to help psychiatric nurses support couples with one partner having BPD. This innovative psychiatric nursing model emphasises the need for implementation and evaluation in care. Aim: To explore the psychiatric nurses’ experiences of implementation of a model to facilitate constructive intra- and interpersonal relationships for couples in a relationship where one is living with BPD. Setting: The study was conducted at a mental health institution in Gauteng province where the one partner with BPD receives treatment. Methods: The study adopted a qualitative, exploratory design conducting in-depth interviews with psychiatric nurses who implemented the model, triangulated with observations and field notes and analysed thematically. Results: Four themes emerged, namely: (1) the model served as a helpful tool for empowerment; (2) the positive results yielded by the model; (3) challenges related to using the model; and (4) suggestions for expanding the model’s reach. The psychiatric nurses found the model acceptable and feasible to facilitate the relationships of couples where one is living with BPD. Conclusion: Psychiatric nurses need guidelines to enhance care for individuals with BPD, highlighting the importance of implementing supportive models to improve relationships in various settings. Contribution: Implementation of this model is unique in the care of persons living with BPD making it a valuable tool for psychiatric nurses in mental health care provision.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2450borderline personality disorderexperiencesimplementationmodelpsychiatric nursesrelationships.
spellingShingle Andile G. Mokoena-de Beer
Annie Temane
Nompumelelo Ntshingila
Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
South African Journal of Psychiatry
borderline personality disorder
experiences
implementation
model
psychiatric nurses
relationships.
title Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
title_full Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
title_fullStr Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
title_full_unstemmed Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
title_short Psychiatric nurses’ experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
title_sort psychiatric nurses experiences of using a model to improve relationships of couples with borderline personality disorder
topic borderline personality disorder
experiences
implementation
model
psychiatric nurses
relationships.
url https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2450
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AT nompumelelontshingila psychiatricnursesexperiencesofusingamodeltoimproverelationshipsofcoupleswithborderlinepersonalitydisorder