Sammanfattning
Aim: This study examines what patients, who have been undergoing Dialectical Behavior
Therapy (DBT), consider to be a life worth living, and in which way DBT contributes to this
result. Background: The existing research points to the effectiveness of DBT in treating borderline
personality disorder. However, little qualitative research has been conducted to explore
the reasons for the success of DBT from the patients’ perspectives. Method: This study proceeds
from a qualitative hermeneutic approach. Three participants were interviewed following
a semi-structured format. The interviews were transcribed verbatim by the interviewer and
analyzed with qualitative content analysis. Results: Four themes emerged through the analysis
process: "A life not worth living","A life worth living"," Creating a new identity" and "Meeting
a human being and being met as a human being". Conclusion: Individually adjusted challenge in
a long lasting relationship helps the patients to gain control over their lives which is associated
with a life worth living.