Unified Protocol vs Mentalization-Based Therapy for Adolescents With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Adolescent Mental Health

Background:

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in adolescents presents treatment challenges.
• Existing therapies like Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) and Unified Protocol (UP) have been adapted for adolescent populations.
• Limited research compares the relative efficacy of these adapted treatments for adolescent BPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of modified Mentalization-Based Therapy for Adolescents (MBT-A) and Unified Protocol for Adolescents (UP-A).
• To assess the reduction in borderline symptoms and associated difficulties in adolescents diagnosed with BPD.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 91 adolescents with BPD.
• Participants were assigned to either MBT-A or UP-A groups.
• Outcomes were assessed over a 36-month follow-up period using MIXED ANCOVA.

Main Results:

• Both MBT-A and UP-A significantly reduced primary and secondary outcomes.
• UP-A demonstrated superior effectiveness in decreasing emotional dysregulation compared to MBT-A.
• Remission rates showed a progressive decline up to 36 months post-treatment for both interventions.

Conclusions:

• UP-A may be more effective than MBT-A for reducing emotional dysregulation in adolescent BPD.
• Treatment benefits were primarily observed in emotional dysregulation, with limited impact on interpersonal and identity disturbances.
• Long-term follow-up indicates a decline in remission, highlighting the need for sustained interventions.