Understanding Relationship Dynamics of Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder

Victoria Wallace, Verrazzano Class of 2025, completed major in Psychology

My research objective was to examine individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder and how they act and maintain familial, friendship, romantic, and occupational relationships. In essence, family relationships would often face high amounts of stress and emotional pain due to the individual with BPD's symptoms. Friendships are likely to be unstable, with periodic conflict and problems setting and respecting one's boundaries. Romantic relationships are rooted with insecurity, recurring arguments, and attachment problems. In the workplace, people with BPD may struggle with facing stigma, handling tasks, meeting performance expectations, and managing tense relationships with coworkers and bosses. Effective treatment requires understanding these relational struggles and using encompassing support systems, like family education and workplace interventions, to improve emotional regulation and communication.

What motivated me the most in writing and exploring BPD and its relational dynamics is mainly because of my family. One of my closest cousins, who is like another sister to me, had been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder about ten years back. Growing up, I always wondered why my cousin would bicker, argue, and yell so much with almost every person she met, as well as witness the impulsive behaviors and instability within her friendships, relationships, and interactions with public acquaintances like cashiers. After researching this field, I now see and empathize with my cousin on a different level of understanding.

I personally thought that the capstone project would be simple, as if it were any 12-page paper that had to be written for a course, but the more I sat down to work on my project, the more difficult it became. It was challenging to articulate my words into what I wanted my paper to say, but upon reflection, I feel that I put my best foot forward and dedicated much time into creating and perfecting my paper.

Throughout this capstone experience, not only have I learned how to compose a graduate-level paper, but I also learned the value of time, effort and dedication. Some days I would come home from work and go right on to school whether online or in person, and get to work on my capstone, because I felt a sense of urgency to complete it in a timely manner, as well as dedication to seeing the project through to the end. Being able to balance working full time, attending class and completing classwork and assignments, and the requirements of this capstone required strong time management and perseverance. The experience taught me the importance of pushing through and staying committed to my end goal, even on the most difficult days.

The most important takeaway from this research project in my opinion is to never judge a person, because behind the scenes, you do not know what is going on in that person's life. That person may be an individual with BPD, or a loved one to that individual, and you never know what obstacles they face on a day to day basis. Always treat others with kindness and respect.