Background:

It is not unusual that a child grows up with a guardian with mental illness, such as borderline personality disorder. It is important that children grow up in a safe environment where their needs are met. It is known, that when children grow up with a guardian with borderline personality disorder, it can affect their mental health and their social skills. These children are in need of extra care and attention from heath care personal and from the society, but these needs are sometimes not met.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to enlighten children's mental health when growing up with a guardian with borderline personality disorder

Method:

A literature review based on three quantitative and six qualitative articles was conducted.

Result:

Three main themes and six subthemes emerged: Emotional instability, with subthemes Aggressive and avoiding behavior and Fear of abandonment; difficulties in intimate relations with subthemes Bad integration with the guardian and Lack of social interaction; and finally reduced wellbeing with subthemes Depressive symptoms and anxiety and Guilt and shame.

Conclusion:

The result show through the study that mothers BPD has a negative impact on children's mental health. This was demonstrated by low self-esteem, low self-control, aggression, separation anxiety, less responsive to their mothers, less integrated with their family, difficulty in social situations. This literature review can help health professionals to gain a greater understanding of how much a guardian with borderline personality disorder actually affects children. Through this understanding, the caregivers can give these children the support they need.