Exploring Compassion in Young Adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).

This research project, conducted by the Institute for Mental Health at the University of Birmingham, seeks to explore how challenging social experiences influence the ability of young adults with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) to engage in acts of compassion. Compassionate acts are known to enhance mental wellbeing, but social challenges such as stigma, exclusion, and emotional abuse may make engaging in these acts more challenging.

The study has been co-developed with experts by lived experience to ensure it reflects the perspectives and priorities of those with BPD/EUPD. The findings will inform mental healthcare practices, reduce stigma, and promote a person-centered understanding of BPD/EUPD, through a combination of journal papers and resources for mental healthcare professionals.

The team aims to recruit 100 participants for questionnaires and up to 10 participants for interviews. This research is part of a PhD study funded by the Hilary Green Studentship.

Who the team is looking for: 

The team is seeking individuals aged 18-25 with a formal, working, or differential diagnosis of BPD/EUPD or Personality Disorder with Borderline Pattern. Participants should be proficient in spoken and written English.

Expected commitment from participants:

Time/ activities/ where and when these will take place if you have confirmed dates

• Questionnaires: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes total, which can be completed in multiple sessions.
• Interviews (optional): Up to 1.5 hours, conducted either in-person at the University of Birmingham, in an accessible community venue, or online (Zoom/Teams).

Dates and locations will be flexible and arranged based on participants’ preferences.

Closing date to apply:

1st July 2025 (TBC)

How to apply: 

Please email Catrin Street-Mattox (ces389@bham.ac.uk) with the subject line “BPD & Compassion Study” to express your interest or find out more. You can also contact the Chief Investigator, Matthew Broome, at m.r.broome@bham.ac.uk.

You can visit BPD.cesmresearch.com for more information.

Their commitment to inclusion:

Flexible scheduling and location arrangements to accommodate participants’ needs.

Offering both online and in-person participation options.

Providing documents either on paper or online, with availability in large print and dyslexia-friendly fonts.

Covering postage and return postage costs for participants who choose to complete paper-based questionnaires.

Reimbursing travel expenses for in-person interviews, for the individual and a carer if this would be more accessible for them.

All participants will be asked if they give permission for the team to contact them following the publication of papers resulting from the study, as well as for other plans for dissemination including resources and guidance for mental healthcare professionals.