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Fathi F, Vaziri S, Pourasghar M, Nasri M. Transference-focused Psychotherapy Versus Acceptance & Commitment Therapy on Personality Organization and Defense Styles of People With BPD: A Clinic Trial. IJPCP 2025; 31 (1)
URL: http://ijpcp.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4166-en.html

Objectives This study aimed to compare the effects of transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on personality organization and defense styles of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD).
Methods This is a randomized clinical trial with a pre-test/post-test/follow-up design. The participants were 11 patients with BPD referred to Zare Psychiatric Hospital and Khaney-e Ma’na Clinic in Sari, north of Iran, in 2020. They were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to TFP (n=4), ACT (n=4), and control (n=3) groups. The interventions were provided for one year, two sessions per week. Data were collected before the interventions, at the first session, during the 40th session, during the 80th session, at the 100th session, and six months after the interventions. Kernberg’s Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO) and Defense Styles Questionnaire were used for assessment. Statistical analysis was done using repeated measurement ANOVA and the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Results There were significant differences in both treatment groups compared to the control group in total IPO score (P=0.023), mature defense styles (P=0.041), and neurotic defense style (P=0.366). TFP was more effective than ACT.
Conclusion Both TFP and ACT can improve personality organization and defensive styles of patients with BPD, where TFP is more effective.