Childhood sexual abuse: how do women experience a subsequent diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder/borderline personality disorder?

Prevalence statistics infer that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is reported by 16.1% - 85.7% of borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients (de Aquino Ferreira et al. 2018) and of those diagnosed with BPD, 75% are women (NICE, 2009). Thus, BPD is considered in the context of the history of the pathologisation of women through psychiatric diagnosis. Upholding a feminist social constructionist epistemology, this thesis explores the lived experience of women who have experienced CSA and received a subsequent diagnosis of BPD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four women and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the transcripts. The analysis produced five Group Experiential Themes: (1) BPD: The ticket towards or away from condemnation? (2) CSA is not the whole story (3) Sense of Self and Identity (4) A relational minefield and (5) The long road to recovery. This research highlights the ambiguous relationship participants have with their diagnosis of BPD. The role that the diagnostic assessment, the delivery of the diagnosis, and internalised stigma plays in the trajectory of this relationship is discussed. Exploration of the impact of CSA highlighted identity disturbance, relational challenges, and a desire for a sense of belonging as particularly prevalent. The significance of choice in relation to treatment/recovery is identified, specifically as to whether CSA is explored as part of this. Participants emphasised that CSA should be considered in the context of wider childhood experiences. Implications for counselling psychology regarding assessment and diagnosis, treatment and interventions, and addressing stigma are noted, alongside opportunities for further research.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Professional Doctorate

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Wolverhampton

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Bodfish, Georgia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Slater, Chelsea

• borderline personality disorder
• childhood sexual abuse
• diagnosis
• emotionally unstable personality disorder

Licence

• https://wlv.openrepository.com/bitstreams/f159476f-150a-4700-afc8-0aa1af84cf53/download