Date of Conferral
2020
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Eric Hickey
Abstract
Healthcare systems across the globe strive to provide equal treatment for all patients irrespective of their status; nevertheless, disparities occur. Gender-based prejudices are present in many cultures and often affect clinicians’ diagnostic and treatment practices. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) patients represent a category that is more prone to gender biases. With a focus on Canada, this study was designed to contribute to currently limited evidence on BPD gender biases by addressing the knowledge gaps in clinical gender-based studies. The study was an exploration of forensic psychologists’ and psychiatrists’ methodology leading to making a diagnosis of BPD and the factors that the practitioners consider in their examination. Social constructivism served as the conceptual framework. A case study research strategy was adopted with participants from Western Canada who specialized in treating mental-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder, psychiatric conditions, personality disorders, and mood disorder. In the study, semi structured interviews were employed for data collection. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 participants. Findings indicated implicit gender bias existed in the diagnosis of BPD among practitioners in Western Canada. This study may contribute to social change by promoting a clinician-client relationship free of bias that could compromise the diagnosis and therapeutic outcomes for the patient.
Recommended Citation
Modeste, Carl N., "Clinician Perspectives on Gender Bias in Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder" (2020). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 9199.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/9199
