Differential Patterns of Parenting – A Comparative Study of Mothers and Fathers of Young Adults with Borderline Personality Disorder

Open Access

Abstract

Background: Parenting practices significantly influence the emotional and behavioral development of offspring, with distinct maternal and paternal contributions potentially affecting the severity of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Aim of the study: To compare differential parenting patterns between mothers and fathers of young adults diagnosed with BPD and to examine their association with symptom severity. Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at BSMMU and NIMH, Dhaka, enrolling 50 young adults with BPD and their parents. Parenting dimensions, styles, expressed emotion, attachment, and empathy were assessed using validated instruments. Data were analyzed with t-tests, chi-square, Pearson correlations, and logistic regression. Results: Mothers exhibited higher care, authoritative parenting, and empathy, whereas fathers demonstrated greater overprotection, authoritarian style, and avoidant attachment. Maternal care negatively correlated with BPD severity (r=−0.43, p=0.001), while paternal overprotection showed a positive correlation (r=0.40, p=0.003). Multivariable analysis identified low maternal care and high paternal overprotection as independent predictors of dysfunctional parenting. Conclusion: Mothers and fathers of young adults with BPD display distinct but complementary parenting patterns that influence symptom severity. Targeted family-based interventions addressing maternal warmth and paternal engagement may improve psychosocial outcomes in BPD.