A randomized controlled trial of a peer and clinician led group program for borderline personality disorder.

Objective

Remission and recovery from borderline personality disorder (BPD) is difficult, yet achievable, yet not all people benefit. Peers with lived experience of recovery from BPD as co-therapists may increase engagement, reduce stigma and strengthen hopefulness. We evaluated a peer and clinician co-led group therapy (AIR Peers) for consumers with BPD.

Methods

Eighty-three participants (88% female, M age = 36yrs) were randomized into either AIR Peers therapy (n = 43) or treatment as usual (TAU; n = 40). The intervention was co-designed by people with lived experience and clinicians. It involved 12 hours of group therapy over a 6-week period (2hrs/week). Weekly topics included discussion of stigma, self-compassion, self-care, creative recovery and "building your best life."

Results

Intention to treat multilevel modeling analysis indicated that the AIR Peers group showed a significant reduction in BPD symptoms (primary outcome) and improvement in mental health ratings (secondary outcome), whereas no change was present in the TAU group. Self-report ratings indicated therapy success, helpfulness, and satisfaction. Quantitative and qualitative ratings of group and therapist alliance and group engagement were positive.

Conclusion

Peer and clinician co-facilitated therapy groups may contribute to novel and effective approaches for people living with BPD on their recovery journey.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry identifier: ACTRN12621000183886.