Numerous studies have extensively explored the direct associations between Borderline, Personality Traits (BPT) and suicidal ideation (SI), but there has been limited focus on the moderating...Show moreNumerous studies have extensively explored the direct associations between Borderline, Personality Traits (BPT) and suicidal ideation (SI), but there has been limited focus on the moderating factors and interactions that could potentially influence this association. This study investigates this gap in literature by examining the moderating effects of Substance Use (SU) and Social Isolation on the relationship between BPT and SI. The primary objective was to investigate whether increased SU and Social Isolation could strengthen the relationship between BPT and elevated levels of SI. A longitudinal cohort study was conducted, collecting data over one month through a standardized questionnaire measuring BPT. At the same time, we examined other demographic and clinical variables, including SI, SU, and social isolation as variables that are included in the ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to assess the relationships between these variables, with moderation analysis conducted using the PROCESS macro. Contrary to our beliefs and expectations, this research did not find significant results in the direct relationship between BPT and SI, nor did it detect any moderating effects of substance use or social isolation on this relationship. Despite the outcome, the study provided a unique approach by being among the few studies to utilize the innovative tool of EMA on this specific topic, encouraging and inspiring researchers to continue and enhance research on the foundation of real time measurements and studies.Show less
The characteristics common in borderline personality disorder (BPD) are intense and rapidly changing emotions, identity disturbances (ID), and problems in interpersonal relationships (IR). It...Show moreThe characteristics common in borderline personality disorder (BPD) are intense and rapidly changing emotions, identity disturbances (ID), and problems in interpersonal relationships (IR). It remains to be determined whether BPD diagnosis is related to lower social connectedness and if this is at least partly mediated by lower explicit self-worth. Although BPD is a widely studied disorder, inferences based only on studies exploring BPD from different perspectives exist regarding the relationship between ID and IR. This gap in the literature was targeted by the current study, which investigated the relationship between BPD diagnosis, self-worth, and social connectedness in a sample of 109 female participants aged 18–25 years. Utilising Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale and the Social Connectedness Scale Revised, this study examined whether individuals with BPD differ from healthy controls in terms of self-worth and social connectedness and whether self-worth mediates the relationship between BPD and social connectedness. The results indicated significant differences, with individuals diagnosed with BPD scoring lower on both the measures. Additionally, a partial mediation effect was identified, suggesting that self-worth plays a role in the relationship between BPD and social connectedness. This study contributes to our understanding of BPD by highlighting the connection between self-worth and social connectedness. Future research should explore these potential implications for therapeutic interventions that focus on improving the self-worth of individuals with BPD. The limitations of the study, including a female-only sample and cross-sectional observational design, further highlight the need for further research exploring the interplay between identity disturbances and interpersonal relationships.Show less
Research master thesis | Psychology (research) (MSc)
under embargo until 2025-01-31
2025-01-31T00:00:00Z
Dissociation is a complex trans-diagnostic phenomenon, which ranges from normative to pathological. There are multiple ways of measuring and categorising dissociation, and different theories as to...Show moreDissociation is a complex trans-diagnostic phenomenon, which ranges from normative to pathological. There are multiple ways of measuring and categorising dissociation, and different theories as to the aetiology and function of dissociation in psychological disorders. People with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) experience more dissociation than healthy controls and other personality disorders, and dissociation is associated with other key features of BPD. Despite this, dissociation in BPD is poorly understood. It is unclear which types of dissociation manifest in BPD, in which situations, and the function that dissociation achieves. The aim of this study was to investigate the form and function of dissociation in BPD, by identifying themes across personal narratives. A thematic analysis was performed on narratives of dissociative experiences assessed within a script-driven imagery approach. The predominant forms of dissociation were depersonalisation and derealisation. Dissociation occurred in interpersonal and threatening situations, tended to follow negative affect, and was accompanied by physical reactions consistent with sympathetic nervous system activation. Dissociation functioned as psychological escape from internal experiences or external situations. These themes are discussed within the context of prominent theories of BPD and dissociation. These findings are in line with the idea that dissociation in BPD acts as a protective mechanism against high sensitivity and reactivity to affective and interpersonal experiences in the place of normative regulation skills. This paper concludes that dissociation in BPD offers psychological escape from intolerable experiences, and is related to a low threshold for threat perception and threat response mobilisation.Show less
Abstract Background: As suicide rates are alarmingly high worldwide, finding predictors for suicide is imperative. People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have a heightened risk of...Show moreAbstract Background: As suicide rates are alarmingly high worldwide, finding predictors for suicide is imperative. People with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have a heightened risk of attempting and dying by suicide. BPD is diagnosed using nine distinct criteria, which have all been previously linked to suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and suicide attempts (SA) in people with BPD. However, the results of previous studies vary greatly, and no single diagnostic criterium seemed to have a uniquely strong correlation with SA. The aim of this study was to shed more light on the associations of these criteria and SA by including a large group of people with BPD or other psychiatric illnesses, and healthy participants. Method: Diagnostic criteria and previous SA were assessed in a semi-structured interview by trained clinicians. Data was analyzed with multiple regression analyses in the three groups separately. Results: In BPD participants, the criteria of abandonment avoidance and affective instability were significantly linked to SA, while suicidal and self-harm behaviors only showed a marginally significant predictive effect. In the clinical group, all diagnostic criteria had non-significant effects on the number of SA. The analysis for the healthy group was inconclusive due to restricted range of SA. Conclusion: These findings suggest that abandonment avoidance and affective instability may be the most pronounced risk factors for people with BPD; they are more strongly linked to SA than even suicidal behavior and the remaining diagnostic criteria. In people with other psychiatric illnesses, other risk factors may be more important for SA. This may have implications for suicide prevention in clinical practice, though further research is needed.Show less
Pathological identity-related functioning is a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Despite a high level of heterogeneity in the presentation of BPD, many of its defining features...Show morePathological identity-related functioning is a core feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Despite a high level of heterogeneity in the presentation of BPD, many of its defining features may stem from a poorly integrated sense of self. Early maladaptive schemas are self-defeating beliefs representing important pathways through which BPD features are caused and maintained. While literature suggests that most schemas are correlated with BPD as a whole, research on specific BPD features and specific schemas is needed to map out unique associations. The current self-report study examined the relationship between the BPD core feature of identity disturbance measured by the Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Feature Scale (PAI-BOR) and the enmeshment schema measured by the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (YSQ-S3) in a non-clinical sample (N=398), while controlling for the remaining core BPD features (i.e., affective instability, negative relationships, and self-harm). There were significant unique effects found for identity disturbance and negative relationships, with higher levels on these constructs predicting more enmeshment. A significant unique effect was also found for nationality as a covariate. The findings may explain how individuals with elevated levels of identity disturbance as a BPD feature become overly dependent and enmeshed in relationships to compensate for an unstable sense-of-self and -direction. This indicates potential pathways between specific BPD features and cognitive schemas that could be targeted to foster a stronger self-identity and, consequently more stability in relationships. Future longitudinal and prospective studies are needed to follow the course and direction of the relationship for further understanding of its dynamics.Show less
