Although no prospective epidemiological studies have evaluated the
relationship between family interactions and the development of borderline
personality disorder (BPD), there is considerable evidence for the central
role of family interactions in the development of BPD. This paper
describes the role of family interactions or processes, especially those
that might be regarded as invalidating or conflictual, negative or
critical, and the absence of more validating, positive, supportive,
empathic interactions, in the development of BPD. Perhaps more
importantly, the proposed model considers how these parental and family
behaviors transact with the child's own behaviors and emotional
vulnerabilities, resulting in a developmental model of BPD that is neither
blaming of the family member with BPD nor of her or his parents and
caregivers, and has important and specific implications for both
prevention and intervention.