Responses and behaviour of patients with borderline personality disorder during semi-structured interviews

The researchers investigated the behaviour of the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patient, based on observations during structured interviews, to test the hypothesis that these patients are frequently more hostile, aggressive, demanding and manipulative in an interview situation, as has been reported in the literature. These patients were compared to a similar group which had been identified as having BPD traits. The findings suggest that the BPD patients respond with more helplessness and anxiety, that they are more reliable, and that they do not differ significantly in displays of negative behavior during the interview.