Exploring resilience and borderline personality disorder: A qualitative study of pairs of sisters JOEL PARIS 1 , JEWEL PERLIN 2 , LISE LAPORTE 3 , MARILYN FITZPATRICK 4 AND JACK DESTEFANO 4 , 1 Institute of Community and Family Psychiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 2 Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 3 McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; 4 Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada ABSTRACT Research indicates that a proportion of children exposed to childhood abuse develop psychological symptoms and are at risk for borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, not all maltreated children develop BPD as adults. This qualitative study explores some of the protective factors that contribute to resilient outcomes. The methods involved interviewing pairs of sisters who both experienced childhood abuse and family dysfunction but only one of whom developed BPD. The themes that emerged included individual, family, external and novel factors (acceptance of the past and the meaning of children). These findings could be helpful for understanding mechanisms of resilience in populations at risk. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Child abuse is associated with an increased risk for psychiatric disorders (Fergusson, Boden, & Horwood, 2008), most particularly for borderline personality disorder (BPD) (Zanarini, 2000). However, as only a minority exposed to abuse and neglect will develop mental disorders, resilience is common (Rutter, 2007). The present study aims to examine some mechanisms of resilience in women whose childhood history put them at risk for developing BPD. Resilience and childhood abuse Most research on the effects of childhood abuse has investigated negative outcomes. Individuals, how- ever, vary considerably in response to adversity. At least 25–33% of individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment appears relatively unaf- fected and do not develop adult psychopathology, whereas those who do may not necessarily have severe disorders (Dumont, Widom, & Czaja, 2007). Herrman et al. (2011, p. 259) described resilience as ‘positive adaptation, or the ability to maintain or regain mental health, despite experiencing adver- sity’. McGloin and Widom (2001) argued that resil- ience also reflects multiple domains of functioning. Research on resilience has highlighted a range of protective factors that may explain positive life trajectories in the face of childhood maltreatment (Afifi & MacMillan, 2011). Individual protective factors are personal characteristics, personality traits, qualities, cognitive skills, an internal locus on control and coping strategies (Werner, 1982). Family protective factors include quality of relation- ships with primary caregivers and with other family members (Afifi & MacMillan, 2011; Rutter, 2007). Herrman et al. (2011) emphasized a secure attachment to mother, a good relationship with a non-abusive parent and an absence of maternal depression or substance abuse, as well as external Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 8: 199–208 (2014) DOI: 10.1002/pmh Personality and Mental Health 8: 199–208 (2014) Published online 3 April 2014 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI 10.1002/pmh.1261