A model for psychiatric nurses to facilitate the mental health of couples living with borderline personality disorder

Abstract

This study outlines the steps taken to describe and develop a model for psychiatric nurses to promote the mental health of couples living with borderline personality disorder. After identifying the central concept, a qualitative and theory-generating design was employed to develop the model. The central concept was derived from a previous study entitled “Experiences of couples in a relationship in which one partner has a mental illness”. The steps to develop the model included concept analysis, relationship statements, model development and evaluation.
The central concept ‘facilitation of constructive intra- and interpersonal relationships’ was identified, defined, and incorporated into relationship statements. The identified concept was defined, categorised, and developed into a model based on Dickoff, James and Wiedenbach’s survey list, focusing on the context, recipient, agent, dynamic, procedure, and terminus. Experts in mental health and model development evaluated the model. In this study, the model was developed, described, and evaluated, but has not been implemented. Limitations were identified, and recommendations were made in relation to the presented research and future studies.