Evaluation of Coping Strategies and Perceived Stress Using Brief COPE and PSS in a Patient with Borderline Personality Disorder and Major Depression
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Abstract
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, and disturbed interpersonal relationships. Its comorbidity with Major Depressive Disorder without psychotic symptoms often leads to greater clinical severity, impaired stress regulation, and difficulties in adaptive coping. Objective assessment of perceived stress and coping strategies is therefore important in clinical evaluation and treatment planning. This study presents a descriptive case analysis of a 31-year-old male patient diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder without psychotic symptoms. The patient completed two standardized psychometric instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the Brief COPE inventory to assess stress perception and coping responses. The patient obtained a PSS score of 18, indicating a moderate level of perceived stress during the previous month. The Brief COPE results demonstrated a predominance of maladaptive coping strategies, particularly behavioral disengagement (7), denial (6), and venting (6), while adaptive coping strategies such as planning (3), positive reframing (2), and emotional support (3) were less frequently utilized. These findings illustrate the interaction between perceived stress, maladaptive coping patterns, and emotional dysregulation in patients with comorbid BPD and depression. The use of standardized psychometric instruments in routine psychiatric assessment may help transform subjective complaints into measurable clinical data, thereby supporting more individualized treatment planning and monitoring of therapeutic progress in complex psychiatric comorbidities.
Keywords:
Borderline Brief COPE Coping strategies Major depression Personality disorder Perceived stress scaleReferences
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