The effectiveness of combined eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and dialectical behavior therapy on mentalization components and suicidal ideation in individuals with borderline personality disorder

The current research evaluated the effectiveness of a combined EMDR and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) intervention on mentalization components and suicidal ideation in persons with a borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Article Abstract

“The current research evaluated the effectiveness of a combined Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) intervention on mentalization components and suicidal ideation in persons with a borderline personality disorder (BPD). The research design was a quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow-up, and a control group. The target population included patients diagnosed with BPD and referred to psychotherapy centers within the Mashhad city during the years 2024–2025. The sample size comprised of 50 participants who were chosen through convenience sampling and assigned to an experimental and control group (25 participants for in each group). The experimental group was provided with 20 sessions of the integrated EMDR and DBT intervention. The research tools were Mentalization Questionnaire and the Beck Scale of Suicide Ideation. The analysis of the data was carried out with the help of repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the SPSS software, version 26. The findings indicated a significant difference in the mean scores of self-related mentalization, other-related mentalization, motivation to mentalize, and suicidal ideation across the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases. Additionally, the interaction effect of time and group membership was significant for self-related mentalization (F=14.51), other-related mentalization (F=30.03), motivation to mentalize (F = 9.42), and suicidal ideation (F = 24.08) p< 0.001.The results showed that the combined EMDR+ DBT treatment creates a synergistic effect by targeting mentalization deficits and traumatic roots, enhancing mentalization skills while deeply modifying the cognitive and emotional structures underlying suicide Suicidal Ideation.”

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Hefazi Torghabeh, L., & Najafi, M. (2026). The effectiveness of combined eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and dialectical behavior therapy on mentalization components and suicidal ideation in individuals with borderline personality disorder. Journal of Research in Psychopathology, Online. https://doi.org/10.22098/jrp.2026.19237.1358 Retrieved: https://jrp.uma.ac.ir/article_4565.html