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Schulze A, Rommelfanger B, Schendel E, Schott H, Lerchl A, Vonderlin R, Lis S. Attributional style in Borderline personality disorder is associated with self-esteem and loneliness. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2024; 11:19. [PMID: 39175043 PMCID: PMC11342650 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-024-00263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attributions are the processes by which individuals explain the causes of positive and negative events. A maladaptive attributional style has been associated with reduced self-esteem, psychosocial functioning, and mental health. Although many psychosocial interventions target an individual's attributional style in mental disorders, studies of its alterations in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are sparse. This study aimed to investigate the attributional style in patients with BPD in comparison to healthy control individuals (HC) and its association with self-esteem and psychosocial functioning. METHODS The participants (32 patients with a diagnosis of BPD, 32 HC, groups were balanced for sex, age and education) assessed their attributional style in regard to locus of control, stability and globality for positive and negative scenarios. Attributional style was compared between groups and linked to self-reports of self-esteem, loneliness and psychosocial functioning in different social domains while controlling for BPD and depressive symptom severity. RESULTS Individuals diagnosed with BPD reported a maladaptive attributional style for both positive and negative events. This was found to be strongly related with lower self-esteem and higher levels of loneliness, but not with psychosocial dysfunctions assessed in different social domains. The severity of BPD and depressive symptoms did not fully explain the association of attributional style with self-esteem and loneliness. In contrast, correcting for acute psychopathology actually strengthened the relationship between self-esteem and maladaptive inferring causality for positive events. CONCLUSION The differential association of attributional style for positive and negative events with self-esteem and psychosocial functioning highlights the importance of considering the different facets of inferring causality during psychosocial interventions. Our findings suggest that the significance of cognitive alterations may change with remission of acute BPD and depressive psychopathology, depending on the valence of an event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schulze
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Berit Rommelfanger
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Schendel
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hannah Schott
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Aimée Lerchl
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruben Vonderlin
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Lis
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Duda JM, Fineberg SK, Deng W, Ma Y, Everaert J, Cannon TD, Joormann J. Borderline personality disorder features are associated with inflexible social interpretations. J Affect Disord 2024; 348:78-87. [PMID: 38110156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is thought to involve aberrant social learning, including impaired revision of social interpretations with new evidence (social interpretation inflexibility). However, this topic has received little empirical attention outside of specific literatures, such as moral inference or behavioral economics. Further, the contribution of comorbid depression to BPD-related interpretation inflexibility has not yet been assessed. METHODS In two independent samples (Study 1: N = 213; Study 2: N = 210, oversampled for BPD features), we assessed the associations between BPD symptoms, depressive symptoms, and task-based measures of social interpretation flexibility. RESULTS We found that BPD symptoms, particularly volatility of identity and relationships, were associated with less revision of social interpretations with both positive and negative evidence. Meanwhile, depressive symptoms were associated with a pattern of less revision of social interpretations with positive versus negative information. LIMITATIONS The use of cross-sectional, crowdsourced samples limits causal interpretations. Translation to clinical populations should be assessed in future studies. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that inflexible social interpretations across valences may be a feature of BPD-related pathology, and could be connected to symptoms involving volatility in social contexts. Future studies should investigate whether treatments geared toward increasing the flexibility of social interpretations are effective in treating BPD symptoms, especially those involving interpersonal difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Duda
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Sarah K Fineberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Wisteria Deng
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yvette Ma
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jonas Everaert
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands; Research Group of Quantitative Psychology and Individual Differences, KU, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tyrone D Cannon
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jutta Joormann
- Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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Fanti E, Di Sarno M, Di Pierro R. In search of hidden threats: A scoping review on paranoid presentations in personality disorders. Clin Psychol Psychother 2023; 30:1215-1233. [PMID: 37727949 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent diagnostic developments suggest that paranoia is a transdiagnostic characteristic common to several personality disorders rather than a personality disorder per se. Nonetheless, empirical literature fails to provide comprehensive and univocal findings on whether and how paranoid presentations relate to different personality disorders. In the present scoping review, we map the empirical literature on paranoid presentations in personality disorders, considering the entire spectrum of paranoid manifestations (i.e., the paranoia hierarchy). In selecting original quantitative studies on paranoid presentations in personality-disordered patients, we screened 4,433 records in PsycArticles, PsycInfo and PUBMED. We eventually included 47 eligible studies in the review. Our synthesis indicates consistent empirical evidence of a wide range of paranoid presentations in Paranoid, Schizotypal and Borderline personality disorders. Conversely, little empirical literature exists on paranoid presentations in other personality disorders. Preliminary findings suggest broad-severity paranoid presentations, ranging from milder to severe forms, in Paranoid, Schizotypal and Borderline personality disorders. There is also some evidence of milder forms of paranoia in Avoidant, Antisocial and Narcissistic personality disorders. Conversely, there is poor evidence of paranoid presentations in Schizoid, Histrionic, Dependent or Obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. Research gaps and recommendations for improving empirical research on paranoid presentations in personality disorders are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Fanti
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Di Sarno
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Personality Disorder Lab (PDLab), Milan-Parma, Italy
| | - Rossella Di Pierro
- Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
- Personality Disorder Lab (PDLab), Milan-Parma, Italy
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Choi-Kain LW, Masland SR, Finch EF. Corrective Experiences to Enhance Trust: Clinical Wisdom From Good (Enough) Psychiatric Management. J Pers Disord 2023; 37:559-579. [PMID: 37903019 DOI: 10.1521/pedi.2023.37.5.559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Unstable trust within social interchange underlies the symptom constellation of borderline personality disorder (BPD), resulting in preoccupation with intense dyadic relationships, limited capacity for social collaboration, and constricted social networks. Good Psychiatric Management (GPM) provides a distilled formulation of how interpersonal hypersensitivities drive the engine of BPD's symptomatic oscillations in both affect and attachment. The authors summarize clinically relevant conclusions from the empirical literature on trust in BPD, synthesize it with selected ideas from other empirically supported interventions, and distill a formulation of how the GPM approach can address problems of trust in BPD with strategies most clinicians can use to improve their work with patients. GPM's clinical management approach utilizes common factors in psychotherapy to structure collaboration with patients to be accountable partners in treatment, rely on themselves more to diminish unrealistic demands on others, and function more effectively in arenas that expand and stabilize their social network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lois W Choi-Kain
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, and Harvard Medical School, Boston Massachusetts
| | - Sara R Masland
- Psychology Department, Pomona College, Claremont, California
| | - Ellen F Finch
- Psychology Department, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Kirchner L, Kloft M, Arias Martín B, Berg M, Anjedanimoghadamaraghi P, Schäfer L, Rief W. Measuring dysfunctional interpersonal beliefs: validation of the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale among a heterogeneous German-speaking sample. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:702. [PMID: 37759204 PMCID: PMC10523705 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05155-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKROUND Dysfunctional interpersonal beliefs (DIBs) are a key symptom domain in numerous mental disorders. Because DIBs exert a strong influence on social experience and behavior, they play an important role in a mental disorder's development and progression. To date, only the Interpersonal Cognitive Distortions Scale (ICDS) captures DIBs independently of specific disorders, populations, or contexts. The present study's aim was to psychometrically evaluate and validate a German translation of the ICDS. METHODS The ICDS was administered along with indicators of convergent (rejection sensitivity, depressive expectations, interpersonal trust, interpersonal problems, perceived social support), discriminant (self-efficacy, perseverative negative thinking, optimism), and clinical validity (psychopathology, perceived stress, well-being) to a pooled sample incorporating non-clinical (N = 114) and clinical (N = 94) participants. RESULTS An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) suggested a five-factor solution (factor loadings: .44 to .85). Correlational analyses demonstrated acceptable convergent (ρ = -.29 to -.35, ρ = .27 to .59), suboptimal discriminant (ρ = -.27 to -.38, ρ = .52), and acceptable clinical validity (ρ = -.21, ρ = .36 to .44) at the total-scale level. However, results at the subscale level were mixed and required nuanced interpretation. Likewise, internal consistency was acceptable at the total-scale level (α = .76), but ranged from good to poor at the subscale level (α = .61 to .80). DIBs mediated the negative relationship between mental disorder onset and psychopathology levels. DISCUSSION Our results imply DIBs' relevance to mental health and related outcomes. When working with the ICDS's German version, we recommend employing only the "insecurity" subscale, as this was the only scale revealing acceptable psychometric properties. Future studies should improve the construct validity of the ICDS (and its subscales), e.g., by adding more items to the respective subscales and further classes of DIBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Kirchner
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35037, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Matthias Kloft
- Department of Psychology, Psychological Methods, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Beatriz Arias Martín
- Department of Psychology, Psychological Diagnostics, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Max Berg
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Paria Anjedanimoghadamaraghi
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Leonora Schäfer
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35037, Marburg, Germany
| | - Winfried Rief
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University of Marburg, Gutenbergstraße 18, 35037, Marburg, Germany
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Scheunemann J, Jelinek L, Biedermann SV, Lipp M, Yassari AH, Kühn S, Gallinat J, Moritz S. Can you trust this source? Advice taking in borderline personality disorder. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023:10.1007/s00406-022-01539-w. [PMID: 36629942 DOI: 10.1007/s00406-022-01539-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Research suggests that patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) share a range of cognitive biases with patients with psychosis. As the disorder often manifests in dysfunctional social interactions, we assumed associated reasoning styles would be exaggerated in a social setting. For the present study, we applied the Judge-Advisor System by asking participants to provide initial estimates of a person's age and presumed hostility based on a portrait photo. Afterwards, we presented additional cues/advice in the form of responses by anonymous previous respondents. Participants could revise their estimate, seek additional advice, or make a decision. Contrary to our preregistered hypothesis, patients with BPD (n = 38) performed similarly to healthy controls (n = 30). Patients sought the same number of pieces of advice, were equally confident, and used advice in similar ways to revise their estimates. Thus, patients with BPD did trust advice. However, patients gave higher hostility ratings to the portrayed persons. In conclusion, patients with BPD showed no cognitive biases in seeking, evaluating, and integrating socially provided information. While the study implies emotional rather than cognitive biases in the disorder, cognitive biases may still prove to be useful treatment targets in order to encourage delaying and reflecting on extreme emotional responses in social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Scheunemann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lena Jelinek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sarah V Biedermann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Lipp
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Amir H Yassari
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Kühn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Moritz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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7
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Patterns of emotional schema endorsement and personality disorder symptoms among outpatient psychotherapy clients. MOTIVATION AND EMOTION 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11031-022-10000-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Hepp J, Mohr MRM, Niedtfeld I. Maladaptive personality traits as predictors of prosocial and trusting behavior in two economic games. Borderline Personal Disord Emot Dysregul 2022; 9:32. [PMID: 36352483 PMCID: PMC9648038 DOI: 10.1186/s40479-022-00201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dimensional models of personality disorders postulate interpersonal dysfunction as the core feature of personality pathology, and describe maladaptive personality traits that characterize the specific pattern of dysfunction that is experienced. Herein, we examined whether maladaptive traits predict prosocial and trusting behavior, both of which are highly relevant behaviors for interpersonal functioning. Specifically, we examined antagonism as a predictor of prosocial behavior in a dictator game, and suspiciousness as a predictor of trust in the faith game. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was preregistered and conducted online. The preregistration protocol is available at https://osf.io/er43j . Data and code are available at https://osf.io/2rvbg/ . Participants (N = 445) completed the German version of the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 to measure antagonism and suspiciousness. Additionally, they played the dictator game (more money taken away from another person indicates less prosocial behavior) and the faith game (choosing the sure choice instead of the faith choice indicates less trust). We conducted a linear regression model to test whether antagonism is associated with prosocial behavior in the dictator game and a logistic regression model to test whether suspiciousness predicts selection of the sure choice in the faith game. RESULTS As hypothesized, higher levels of antagonism were associated with less prosocial behavior in the dictator game. The remaining hypotheses were not supported, as suspiciousness was not significantly associated with the likelihood of choosing the sure choice in the faith game. Exploratory analyses on participants' estimates of the sure choice amount suggest successful experimental manipulation in the faith game. CONCLUSIONS The results on antagonism and prosocial behavior are consistent with those of previous studies that used categorial classification systems of personality disorders or examined non-pathological personality traits. Potential explanations for the non-significant effects of suspiciousness are discussed, including the small size and range of the sure choice payoff and that the anonymity of the game may have precluded suspicious traits from expressing. Future research with higher stakes and known interaction partners is needed to further probe the effects of suspiciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Hepp
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Melissa R M Mohr
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.,University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Inga Niedtfeld
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
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Graves M, Penner F, Sharp C. Interpersonal trust in adolescents with psychiatric disorders and borderline pathology. Scand J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Psychol 2021; 9:176-186. [PMID: 34805011 PMCID: PMC8596190 DOI: 10.21307/sjcapp-2021-020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Adolescents with features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) may experience deficits in interpersonal trust; however, a simultaneous comparison of interpersonal trust among adolescents with BPD, other psychiatric disorders, and no psychiatric conditions (healthy controls) has never been conducted. Objective: The aims of this study were to 1) explore differences in interpersonal trust (emotional trust, honesty beliefs, and reliability beliefs) between these three groups, and 2) examine the incremental value of BPD features in association with interpersonal trust over and above internalizing and externalizing. Method: Adolescents (N = 445, 67.9% female, Mage = 15.13) recruited from two psychiatric hospitals (psychiatric sample, n = 280) and community organizations (healthy sample, n = 165) completed measures of BPD features, interpersonal trust, and internalizing and externalizing psychopathology. Psychiatric adolescents also completed an interview assessing BPD (n = 83 BPD). ANCOVA and hierarchical linear regression were used for analyses. Results: Emotional trust differed significantly across all three groups, with the lowest level of emotional trust in adolescents with BPD. Reliability was also lower in the two psychiatric groups relative to healthy controls. BPD features were significantly, inversely associated with emotional trust and reliability beliefs when controlling for internalizing and externalizing pathology. Post-hoc analyses testing specificity of the three forms of trust found that lower emotional trust predicted BPD diagnosis over and above the other two forms of trust. Conclusions: Findings highlight emotional trust as a correlate and important target of intervention for adolescents with BPD, and add to knowledge on interpersonal trust deficits for adolescents with psychiatric disorders more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Francesca Penner
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Carla Sharp
- University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.,University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
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