Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute dissociation on an emotional working memory task in a sample who reported dissociation. This study also aimed to examine the...Show moreBackground: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute dissociation on an emotional working memory task in a sample who reported dissociation. This study also aimed to examine the moderating role of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) features and childhood trauma as a possible confounder. Methods: Eighty-nine participants with a wide spectrum of BPD features were recruited online via international mental health platforms and the website of Leiden University. Data was gathered via an online survey. Participants completed the Borderline Feature Scale, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and the Dissociation Stress Scale 4 and they participated in an Emotional Working Memory Task. Results: Participants who experienced more severe acute dissociation showed better performance regarding the accuracy of their answers. However, dissociation was not related to reaction times. No moderating role of BPD features was found, probably due to floor effects and lack of power. Finally, it was found that when childhood trauma severity is low, increased dissociation predicts longer reaction times. Conclusion: The current study offers a first hypothesis about different information processing mechanisms during dissociation in individuals who report dissociation and childhood trauma, but do not present a clinical diagnosis. Dissociation may have a facilitating effect on working memory in some groups, while it may impair affective-cognitive function in others.Show less
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been consistently mentioned as risk factor for the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, the exact developmental pathways, as well...Show moreAdverse childhood experiences (ACE) have been consistently mentioned as risk factor for the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, the exact developmental pathways, as well as the question how the severity and type of abuse and neglect are related to different features of BPD, are still not well understood. An important underlying mechanism might be an insecure attachment, while perceived social support is believed to function as protective factor. Thus, the present study examined the predictive effects of distinct ACE on individual BPD features, and the role of attachment anxiety and perceived social support in linking ACE to BPD. Questions were investigated using multivariate, mediation, and moderated mediation analyses in a large, diverse sample of international participants (N = 1966). Differential effects of distinct ACE were found with emotional abuse demonstrating the strongest effects on all four BPD features. Attachment anxiety mediated the relationship, while no moderated mediation effect in combination with perceived social support was observed. Given these findings, the prevention of ACE seems critical and should be regarded as first-line intervention in stopping the vicious cycle of BPD symptom manifestation. Still, adequate treatment with a focus on developing secure attachment could be beneficial to counterbalance the effects of ACE.Show less
