Sample Solution

The motivations for mothers creating children who are diagnosed with Borderline or Histrionic Personality Disorders as adults is still largely unknown. A recent study did however, uncover some possible explanations. The study found that mothers of adult children with these personality disorders often possess qualities of taking on maternal roles which are extreme and overly controlling (Burns et al., 2018). This overbearing style of parenting may be a result of the mother’s own underlying emotional issues such as neglect, abandonment or trauma they experienced in childhood (Burns et al., 2018). This could potentially lead them to have an unconscious desire to control their children’s behaviors and emotions more than normal.

In addition, the study identified other less conscious reasons why a mother might create a child who develops either histrionic or borderline PD later in life. These include feelings of inadequacy, as well as a need for validation from others due to negative self-image associated with past experiences (Burns et al., 2018). It has also been suggested that generational factors may play a role; if a parent has difficulties managing relationships it can leave their child vulnerable to developing similar problems such as those seen in both border line and histrionic personality disorders (Tobin & Kienhuis 2012).

Therefore, while it is not possible to definitively say whether mothers create these conditions on purpose or whether there is an overflow from generationally inherited traits, research suggests that certain psychological motivations may be at play which influence this behavior.