BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that work participation is the most impaired occupational domains of individuals with a borderline personality disorder (BPD).
OBJECTIVE: This study identifies and describes barriers and facilitators to work participation of individuals with a BPD from both the individual’s and service provider’s perspectives.
METHODS: We used a qualitative multiple case study design (Yin, 2009), with three contexts: 1) work (re) integration, 2) return to work (after a sick leave), and 3) job tenure. Within each context, we held individual interviews with three dyads, including an individual with BPD and their service provider.
RESULTS: Qualitative results (n = 18) showed that individual factors (e.g., reaction to pressure and relationships at work, emotion regulation), and factors related to stakeholders and procedures from insurance, organizational and health systems (e.g., poor collaboration and communication between stakeholders, work accommodations and natural support in workplace) influenced work participation of individuals with BPD.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the specific challenges of work participation for individuals with BPD that involve several personal and environmental factors all stakeholders must consider. Current vocational rehabilitation programs must better address the work participation issues of individuals with BPD and ensure good coordination with current specialized psychotherapies.
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