The impact of experiential avoidance on the reduction of depression in treatment for borderline personality disorder.
BACKGROUND
Reducing symptoms of depression is an important target in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Although current treatments for BPD are effective in reducing depression, the average post-treatment level of depression remains high.


OBJECTIVE
To test whether experiential avoidance (EA) impedes the reduction of depression during treatment for BPD.


METHODS
EA and depression were assessed in 81 clients at baseline and 4-month intervals during 1 year of therapy. Simple correlations, hierarchical linear modeling, and latent difference score models were used to investigate the association between self-reports of EA and both self-reports and observer-based ratings of depression.


RESULTS
EA was positively associated with greater severity of depression at all points of assessment, and changes in EA were positively associated with changes in depression. Moreover, EA significantly predicted less subsequent reduction in depression whereas no such effect was found for depression on subsequent EA.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that EA impedes the reduction of depression in the treatment of BPD and should thus be considered an important treatment target.
Berking
Matthias
M
University of Washington, Department of Psychology, BRTC, Box 351525, Seattle, WA 98195-1525, USA. berking@staff.uni-marburg.de
Neacsiu
Andrada
A
Comtois
Katherine Anne
KA
Linehan
Marsha Marie
MM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001362:Avoidance Learning; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D057566:Self Report