Write your message
Volume 24, Issue 151 (9-2025)                   Journal of Psychological Science 2025, 24(151): 187-203 | Back to browse issues page

XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Houshian N, Akbari B, Kiamarsi A. (2025). Comparing the Effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Stress based Mindfulness on the Symptoms of Vulnerable Narcissism in People with Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Psychological Science. 24(151), 187-203.
URL: http://psychologicalscience.ir/article-1-2745-en.html
Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran. E-mail: Bakbari44@yahoo.com , Bakbari44@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (1334 Views)
Background: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and vulnerable narcissism, although distinct constructs, are interconnected. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) can play an effective role in addressing these aspects. However, there is a clear research gap due to the lack of studies directly examining the effects of DBT and MBSR on vulnerable narcissism symptoms in individuals with BPD, and no comparative studies have been conducted to date.
Aims: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of DBT and MBSR on symptoms of vulnerable narcissism in individuals with BPD.
Methods: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, control group, and a three-month follow-up period. The statistical population consisted of all women with BPD who sought treatment at a therapeutic clinic in Rasht, Iran, in 2024. A total of 45 individuals were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants (two intervention groups and one control group). The experimental groups underwent 8 sessions of MBSR (Kabat-Zinn, 2009) and 10 sessions of DBT (Linehan, 1993). Data were collected using the Pathological Narcissism Inventory (Pincus et al., 2009) and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA with SPSS version 26.
Results: The results revealed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores, as well as follow-up scores for narcissism (P< 0.05). While there was no significant difference between the two treatments over time, both treatments demonstrated significant improvements in narcissism compared to the control group (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings, DBT and MBSR are two effective therapeutic approaches for improving narcissism symptoms in individuals with BPD. These results can aid clinical psychologists in designing more.
 
Full-Text [PDF 1047 kb]   (557 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2024/11/16 | Accepted: 2024/12/25 | Published: 2025/09/19

References
1. Babaei Gharmkhani, M., Rasouli, M., Davarniya, R. (2017). The Effect of Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) on Reducing Marital Stress of Married Couples. Zanko J Med Sci, 18 (56) :56-69 URL: http://zanko.muk.ac.ir/article-1-168-fa.html
2. Basereh, S., Safarzadeh, S., & Hooman, F. (2022). Comparison of the effect of two interventions of group dialectical behavior therapy and structured matrix treatment on pathological narcissism and craving for drugs among drug abusers. Journal of Multidisciplinary Care, 11(2), 77-82. https://doi.org/10.34172/jmdc.2022.43
3. Di Pierro, R., Amelio, S., Macca, M., Madeddu, F., & Di Sarno, M. (2022). What if I feel rejected? Borderline personality, pathological narcissism, and social rejection in daily life. Journal of personality disorders, 36(5), 559-582. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2022.36.5.559
4. Dimidjian, S., & Linehan, M. M. (2003). Defining an agenda for future research on the clinical application of mindfulness practice. Clinical psychology: Science and practice, 10(2), 166. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.bpg019
5. Drozek, R. P., & Unruh, B. T. (2020). Mentalization-based treatment for pathological narcissism. Journal of personality disorders, 34(Supplement), 177-203. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2020.34.supp.177
6. Euler, S., Stalujanis, E., Allenbach, G., Kolly, S., De Roten, Y., Despland, J. N., & Kramer, U. (2019). Dialectical behavior therapy skills training affects defense mechanisms in borderline personality disorder: An integrative approach of mechanisms in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy research, 29(8), 1074-1085. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2018.1497214
7. Ganji, M. (1403). Psychopathology based on DSM-5. Tehran: Savalan.
8. Gholami, F., Baghouli, H., Barzegar., M., & Koroshnia, M.(2020). Providing a Causal Model for Explaining the Development of Borderline Personality Disorder. Journal of Psychological Models and Methods, 11(41), 140-113. . https://jpmm.marvdasht.iau.ir/article_4532.html
9. Greenland, S. (2010). Children and Mindfulness: How to Help Our Children Manage Anxiety and Live Happier and Kinder Lives. Translated by Sara Goodarzi (2018). Tehran: Parandeh.
10. Íñigo, A. P., Germán, M. H., Dolores, S. G. M., Marina, F. F., Del Pilar, P. O. M., Marina, D. M., & Luis, C. P. J. (2023). Narcissism as a protective factor against the risk of self-harming behaviors without suicidal intention in Borderline Personality Disorder. Actas espanolas de psiquiatria, 51(1), 21. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10309055/
11. Jakšić, N., Milas, G., Ivezić, E., Wertag, A., Jokić-Begić, N., & Pincus, A. L. (2014). The Pathological Narcissism Inventory (PNI) in transitional post-war Croatia: Psychometric and cultural considerations. Journal of psychopathology and behavioral assessment, 36, 640-652. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10862-014-9425-2
12. Kabat-Zinn, J. (2023). Wherever you go, there you are: Mindfulness meditation in everyday life. Hachette UK.
13. Kaufmann, M., Rosing, K., & Baumann, N. (2021). Being mindful does not always benefit everyone: Mindfulness-based practices may promote alienation among psychologically vulnerable people. Cognition and Emotion, 35(2), 241-255. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2020.1825337
14. Kounidas, G., & Kastora, S. (2022). Mindfulness training for borderline personality disorder: A systematic review of contemporary literature. Personality and Mental Health, 16(3), 180-189. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmh.1529
15. Krüger, R. T. (2024). Personality Disorders, Narcissism and Borderline-Organization. In Disorder-Specific Psychodrama Therapy in Theory and Practice (pp. 111-179). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-7508-2_4
16. Leichsenring, F. (1999). Development and first results of the Borderline Personality Inventory: A self-report instrument for assessing borderline personality organization. Journal of Personality Assessment, 73(1), 45-63. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa730104
17. Linehan, M. M., Korslund, K. E., Harned, M. S., Gallop, R. J., Lungu, A., Neacsiu, A. D., ... & Murray-Gregory, A. M. (2015). Dialectical behavior therapy for high suicide risk in individuals with borderline personality disorder: a randomized clinical trial and component analysis. JAMA psychiatry, 72(5), 475-482. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3039
18. Mehr-Azad Saber, M., & Zeinali Tajani, S. (2019). Investigating the dimensions of personality pathology and cognitive fusion with the mediating role of family functioning in individuals with borderline personality disorder. First National Conference on Psychopathology, Ardabil. https://civilica.com/doc/1151537
19. Mohamadizadeh, L., Makvandi, B., Pasha, R., BakhtiarPour, S., & Hafezi, F. (2018). Comparison of the Efficacy of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Schema Therapy (ST) on Impulsive Behavior in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder. JGUMS, 27 (106) :44-53.URL: http://journal.gums.ac.ir/article-1-1663-fa.html
20. Mohammadzadeh, A., & Rezaei, A. (2011). Validation of the Borderline Personality Questionnaire in Iranian Society. Behavioral Sciences, 5(3), 278-269. https://www.sid.ir/paper/494613/fa
21. Nook, E. C., Jaroszewski, A. C., Finch, E. F., & Choi-Kain, L. W. (2022). A cognitive-behavioral formulation of narcissistic self-esteem dysregulation. Focus, 20(4), 378-388. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20220055
22. Pincus, A. L., Ansell, E. B., Pimentel, C. A., Cain, N. M., Wright, A. G., & Levy, K. N. (2009). Initial construction and validation of the Pathological Narcissism Inventory. Psychological assessment, 21(3), 365. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0016530
23. Rimmington, D., Roberts, R., Sawyer, A., & Sved-Williams, A. (2024). Dissociation in mothers with borderline personality disorder: a possible mechanism for transmission of intergenerational trauma? A scoping review. Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, 11(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40479-024-00250-7
24. Seyed Ebrahimi, S. E. (2022). The effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy and positive thinking on emotion regulation and defense mechanisms in people with borderline personality disorder in improving post-traumatic brain injury. Journal of Assessment and Research in Applied Counseling, 4(11), 24-11. https://ensani.ir/file/download/article/1667193373-10443-11-2.pdf
25. Soleimani, M., Past, N., Molaei, M., Mohammadi, A., Dashtipour, M., Safa, Y., & Pinkas, A. (2015). Psychometric properties of the morbid narcissism scale. Contemporary Psychology, 10(19), 95-110. http://bjcp.ir/article-1-768-fa.html
26. Soori, M., Akhondzadeh, M., Ghorbani, P., & Yazdani, M. (2023). Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Therapy on Dark Personality Traits and Experiential Avoidance in Individuals with Cardiovascular Diseases. Health Nexus, 1(3), 97-105. https://doi.org/10.61838/
27. Weinberg, I., & Ronningstam, E. (2020). Dos and don'ts in treatments of patients with narcissistic personality disorder. Journal of personality disorders, 34(Supplement), 122-142. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2020.34.supp.122

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) License.

© 2026 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | Journal of Psychological Science

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)