Introduction What We Know Research

0 downloads 0 Views 374KB Size Report
Simon Fraser University. Abstract/Introduction. What We Know ... Search. PsycINFO was searched through July 2016 to find relevant research on the overlap of ...
Borderline and Psychopathic Personality Disorder: Mapping out a Research Agenda Madison Edge, Unnati Patel, M.S. & Stephen Hart, Ph.D. Simon Fraser University

Abstract/Introduction Since the publication of Hare’s Psychopathy ChecklistRevised (PCL-R) in 1991, the study of psychopathy has been a significant and rapidly expanding field. Similarly, our understanding of borderline personality disorder has undergone growth, especially in the creation of dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). However, the majority of the research conducted thus far has been restricted to one disorder or the other, and there have been few attempts to examine their overlap. Nevertheless, we summarize the available literature on the intersection of psychopathy and borderline personality disorder and suggest several improvements that can be made to expand future knowledge of the topic.

Method Search PsycINFO was searched through July 2016 to find relevant research on the overlap of psychopathy and borderline personality disorder using these key terms: psychopath*, borderline personality disorder, antisocial personality disorder, NOT psychopathology Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria 186 articles were found during the initial search 144 articles were omitted due to irrelevancy 6 articles were duplicates 36 relevant articles were found

What We Know The comorbidity of borderline personality disorder (BPD) and antisocial personality disorder (APD) and psychopathic personality disorder (PPD) exists at a rate higher than chance and they share components of high mentalization and high levels of impulsivity.

There are several branches of research that still need to be pursued regarding this burgeoning area of psychology:

The comorbidity of BPD and APD and PPD is associated with a higher level of violence than the general population, and higher than an individual who only displays BPD.

Determine the rate at which violence is associated with having both PPD and BPD and consider explanations why violence is so prevalent in this population.

Motivation levels different than those of the general population have been associated with APD and BPD, especially the motives of commitment, social exchange and aggression. Individuals with APD and BPD also use defense mechanisms, but research varies on whether these mechanisms are similar or different. PPD levels have been implicated to increase risk of BPD in females but not males. Psychological androgyny has been a preliminary research focus and has been hypothesized to be a contributing factor to explain why BPD is more common in females, and APD more common in males. Men who display BPD seem more likely to display APD than women with borderline personality disorder.

Contact Information









Research Agenda: Looking Ahead

Email [email protected] [email protected]

Determine the rate at which PPD and BPD are comorbid.

Expand the subject pool to community individuals who may display psychopathic/borderline PD traits. Determine whether defense mechanisms are used more frequently by individuals with APD and BPD, and if so, which specific mechanisms are used the most. Determine what motivations the individuals may have for using them. Test what possible internal and external factors may be responsible for a higher correlation between PPD and BPD in females than in males, and determine how each highly each sex tends to score on a psychopathy measure when already diagnosed with BPD. Determine how the interaction of PPD and BPD influences brain structures and functions by utilizing brain imaging technology. Determine differences in behaviour, thought, and brain structure of individuals with PPD and APD and contrast both disorders’ relationships with BPD. Conduct studies to see if there is a possible third variable that would influence the relationship between BPD and PPD. Determine the rate that individuals with BPD and not PPD are violent.