Effects of Mindfulness Training on Borderline Personality Disorder: Impulsivity Versus Emotional Dysregulation

Emotion dysregulation (ED) and impulsivity are the two core characteristics of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although the mindfulness module of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has proven effective to treat general BPD symptomatology, no studies have yet been conducted to determine whether mindfulness specifically targets impulsivity and/or ED in patients with BPD. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to examine the impact of mindfulness training on those two characteristics. A clinical sample (n = 70) of individuals with BPD were randomized to one of two interventions: DBT mindfulness skills training (DBT-M) or DBT interpersonal effectiveness skills training (DBT-IE). Participants were assessed prior to treatment and at the end of the 10-week training program. Assessment included measures of impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, BPD severity, and mindfulness facets. Our findings showed that impulsivity decreased in the DBT-M group but not in the DBT-IE group. BPD psychopathology and some aspects of ED (e.g., emotional clarity and emotional acceptance) improved in both groups. These results show that the mindfulness module of DBT improves both emotion regulation and impulsivity. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03363230