Predictors of psychotherapy alliance in Borderline Personality Disorder

To better understand alliance formation with BPD patients, we examined the relationship between pre-treatment patient characteristics and alliance at baseline and 2 months. Thirty-five volunteers who enrolled in a RCT comparing dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and supportive psychotherapy, with or without antidepressant medication in the treatment of suicidal behavior, were included in this analysis. Participants were administered the SCID-I and II, Beck Depression Inventory, Working Alliance Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory.

depression, anxiety and hopelessness predicted poorer patient-rated alliance at 2 months. Depression and anxiety did not correlate with alliance at the start of treatment, but strongly correlated with 2-month alliance, suggesting patient-rated alliance at 2 months was influenced by the course of treatment. Therapist-rated alliance was not associated with either mood or BPD symptoms. Our findings suggest that focusing on BPD patients' mood early in treatment may improve alliance formation.