BPD Development and Environment: Linehan's model proposes that BPD does not develop solely due to genetics, but is significantly influenced by an individual's environment (Lee et al., 2023). This environment can alter an individual's actions and coping mechanisms, particularly those with BPD.

Definition of an Invalidating Environment: An invalidating environment encompasses not only overt forms of harm, such as neglect or physical abuse, but also subtler forms of harm, such as permissive parenting or being excessively involved in a child’s life (Lee et al., 2023).

The Importance of Balance in Parenting: A crucial aspect of avoiding an invalidating environment lies in finding a balance between being hands-on in a child's life and allowing for their interdependence. This equilibrium between hands-on involvement and fostering interdependence will manifest uniquely across different developmental stages of a child's life.