Social and Occupational Functioning in Individuals With BPD: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition.
• Understanding social and occupational functioning is crucial for assessing BPD impact.
• Previous research indicates potential functional deficits, but a comprehensive review is needed.

Approach:

• A systematic review methodology was employed.
• Searched multiple databases for relevant studies.
• Included 19 studies out of 1164 identified records.

Key Points:

• 13 out of 15 studies reported significant social functioning impairments in individuals with BPD.
• All 14 studies assessing global functioning indicated significant impairment, even in remission.
• Occupational functioning assessment was often integrated into social or global measures, lacking dedicated tools.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with BPD exhibit pervasive and significant social and occupational functioning impairments.
• These functional deficits are observed across the lifespan and in various symptomatic states.
• Further research should investigate all functional domains and identify factors contributing to persistent impairment.