Date of Conferral

11-7-2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Gregory Hickman

Abstract

Adults who grew up experiencing childhood maltreatment may struggle more frequently with interpersonal relationships and may have low resilience, which may create ongoing struggles with having meaningful, healthy relationships with others, especially within their parent–child relationships. Individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are 13 times more likely to endorse multiple childhood adverse experiences (ACEs) than their peers and struggle to have a secure attachment to others. However there has been limited research focused on exploring parental availability and family resilience in a home with a parent diagnosed with BPD, addressing low emotional availability and parent–child bonding. This qualitative study aimed to explore the adult child’s perceptions and descriptions of what it was like growing up in a home with a parent diagnosed with BPD. Using a descriptive multiple-case study design, data were collected through semistructured interviews with four adults who identified as having a parent diagnosed with BPD. The theoretical framework used was the Bowen family systems theory. The data were analyzed using Braun and Clark’s six-step thematic analysis process. The results highlighted despite having an emotionally unavailable parent, adult children have resilience and experience feeling empowered. Future research should include quantitative investigations into how ACE scores interfere with family resilience and individuation during adolescence. Regardless, the study has social change implications by increasing the understanding of how to mitigate transgenerational trauma in families where at least one parent was diagnosed with BPD.

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