Sage: A Couple Intervention for Borderline Personality Disorder

Launched by YORK UNIVERSITY · Jun 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Sage trial is a study designed to test a new program for couples where one partner has borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD can be a challenging condition that affects not just the individual but also their relationships. The Sage program aims to help both partners by focusing on BPD symptoms, relationship conflicts, and the mental health of the partner without BPD. This trial will compare the Sage program to a standard form of therapy called supportive individual psychotherapy to see which is more effective at improving symptoms and relationship dynamics.

To participate in this study, both partners must be at least 19 years old, fluent in English, and living in Ontario. They also need to agree to have their therapy sessions recorded and to use the internet for appointments. However, couples with serious relationship issues, such as recent severe violence, or those currently receiving other specific treatments, will not be eligible. Participants can expect to attend up to 12 sessions and will be assessed at various points to track their progress. The goal is to find better ways to support couples dealing with the challenges of BPD and improve their overall well-being.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • INCLUSION CRITERIA
• • 1. Participant with borderline personality disorder (BPD) meets full diagnostic criteria for BPD (i.e., five or more BPD diagnostic criteria per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5-TR)
• • 2. Both members are at least 19-years-old
• • 3. Both members consent to study participation
• • 4. Both members consent to having assessment interviews and treatment sessions audio- and video-recorded
• • 5. Both members members reside in Ontario (with no plan to leave the province during the course of the study)
• • 6. Both members members are fluent in English
• • 7. Both members are willing to receive emails about the study
• • 8. Both members have regular internet access from a private location for completion of study appointments
• EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
• • 1. Severe intimate partner violence in their relationship in the past year (Endorsement of severe intimate partner violence items on Conflict Tactics Scale-2)
• • 2. DSM-5 criteria A and B of schizophrenia, not better accounted for by BPD
• • 3. Hospitalization in the past year for mania, or mania in the past three months
• • 4. A substance/alcohol use disorder that is likely to require medical intervention (e.g., detoxification) to reduce use
• • 5. A medical condition that is likely to require hospitalization within the next year
• • 6. Scaled score below 70 on the Test of Premorbid Functioning, suggesting below average intelligence and/or traumatic brain injury
• • 7. Either participant in the dyad is not able to show proof of identification upon request at any point throughout the study or is not able to provide an accurate phone number or address upon request.
• • 8. The participant with BPD is currently receiving an empirically-supported BPD treatment and is unwilling to pause the therapy for the duration of the active treatment phase
• • 9. The couple is currently receiving couple therapy and is unwilling to pause the therapy for the duration of the active treatment phase