‘I Realised I Have to Do It Myself’: Experiences of Clients With Personality Disorders in a Compassion‐Based Positive Psychology Group Intervention
Katinka Franken, Gerben J. Westerhof, Peter M. ten Klooster, Ernst T. BohlmeijerABSTRACT
Objective
Effective treatment of personality disorders (PDs) should target not only symptom reduction but also the enhancement of mental well‐being. Compassion‐Based Positive Psychology Group Intervention (CB‐PPGI) has shown promising effects in other clinical populations, yet little is known about how individuals with PDs experience this intervention. This qualitative study explored participants' motivations for engaging in CB‐PPGI, experienced benefits, perceived mechanisms of change and facilitators and barriers to intervention success.
Methods
Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants (12 completers, 4 non‐completers) who received CB‐PPGI while awaiting specialised treatment for PDs. Data were analysed using Reflexive Content Analysis.
Results
Participants were motivated by a desire to restore daily functioning, balance and self‐control. Experienced benefits included a more positive outlook, greater emotional awareness, increased self‐kindness, stronger personal agency, a greater sense of shared humanity, improved balance between activity and rest and reduced stress. Perceived mechanisms of change included group connection, a strengths‐based focus, experiential learning, acceptance and self‐compassion, emotional depth without pressure and a sense of safety fostered by therapist presence. Facilitators and barriers to intervention success included readiness for change, timing, motivation, group composition, trust, resilience and cognitive resources.
Conclusion
Participants experienced CB‐PPGI as supportive in strengthening agency, emotional awareness, self‐kindness and mental well‐being. These findings suggest that CB‐PPGI may complement established PD treatments by fostering recovery‐oriented and well‐being‐related processes alongside symptom‐focused therapeutic goals.