Exploring Barriers to Compassionate Acts in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder: A Critical Literature Review

Abstract

This critical literature review explores the barriers that individuals with borderline personality disorder face when engaging in compassionate acts, including self-compassion, receiving compassion from others and expressing compassion towards others. Borderline personality disorder is characterised by emotional instability, impulsive behaviours and difficulties in maintaining stable relationships. Although compassionate acts are known to enhance recovery and well-being, individuals with borderline personality disorder often struggle with these behaviours. This review identifies several key barriers, including adverse childhood experiences, stigma and systemic discrimination, known as sanism, and internal challenges such as self-judgement, shame and fear of compassion. By synthesising findings from 29 studies, this review highlights the complex interplay between these factors and their impact on the ability of individuals with borderline personality disorder to engage in compassionate behaviours. The findings emphasise the need for personalised, trauma-informed therapeutic interventions and broader societal changes to foster a more compassionate environment for individuals with borderline personality disorder. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, inclusion of individuals with lived experiences and exploring diverse sources of compassion to enhance understanding and support recovery in this population.