Exploring Internalization Patterns of Maladaptive Beliefs in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the internalization processes of maladaptive beliefs in individuals with borderline personality disorder using a phenomenological approach. This qualitative study employed an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) framework. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 26 participants diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who attended counseling centers in Tehran. Purposeful sampling was used, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using Nvivo software. The analysis yielded three main themes: patterns of maladaptive belief formation, internalization mechanisms, and psychological consequences of these beliefs. Each theme included several subthemes and associated concepts. Participants described lived experiences such as emotional rejection, internalized parental criticism, negative inner dialogue, and self-destructive tendencies as central to the internalization of maladaptive beliefs. These results highlighted the complex, multilayered nature of the phenomenon. The findings suggest that maladaptive beliefs in borderline personality disorder stem from early relational experiences and are reinforced through internal mechanisms such as mental rumination and identification with critical parental figures. Understanding these dynamics can inform more effective and individualized therapeutic interventions.