Perry D. Hoffman, PhD, National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder, 11 Norman Drive, Rye, NY 10580 and Dixianne Penney, DrPH, Center for the Study of Issues in Public Mental Health, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY 10962, 914-398-6594, Penney@NKI.RFMH.ORG.

Recent data document that family members of persons with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience higher levels of grief, burden and depression than family members of persons with schizophrenia or bi polar disorder.* However, unlike these mental illnesses, no family programs have previously been available to educate and support families whose lives are impacted by BPD. The study to be presented, supported by NIMH grant 5K08MH001602-04 to the first author,* assessed changes in grief, burden, and empowerment in family members who participated in Family CONNECTIONS, a program developed by two clinicians/researchers, four family members, and a consumer for relatives of persons with BPD.* Family CONNECTIONS, a 12-week, two-hour/week semi-structured, manualized family education program is led by trained family members that provides: 1)information and current research on BPD, 2)coping skills training, and 3)opportunities to build a support network for the participating family members. Assessments on forty-four family members made through pre and post self-report questionnaires, documented a statistically signficant reduction in grief and burden as well as a statistically signficant increase in empowerment. We believe that an intrinsic part of the documented success of the pilot program is the high motivation and commitment of the family member leaders who bring to the progam a level of understanding and empathy that is unique only to those who have experienced life with an ill relative suffering from BPD.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to

• Describe the research information most relevant for families to know about borderline personality disorder
• Outline the types of skills that family members with relatives who have borderline personality disorder will learn
• Identify (if a professional) or self-identify (if a family member) who might benefit as a participant in this program

Keywords: Personality Disorder, Behavioral Research

Related Web page: www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.