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Social network stability in borderline personality disorder: A longitudinal analysis

Lazarus , Sophie A
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0434-2422
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1433783752

Abstract Details

2015, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Psychology.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a psychological disorder that effects mostly women (75%) and is characterized by symptoms that may impact social networks such as intense anger, emotional instability, impulsivity, unstable interpersonal relationships, and fears of abandonment. Furthermore, distress resulting from interpersonal events is related to serious consequences such as self-harm and suicide attempts for those with BPD. Despite the clear disruption in the interpersonal domain, and the severe associated outcomes, few research attempts have been made to understand the social networks of women with BPD and how they may differ from the networks of others. In the present study, we aimed to do this using a longitudinal design to compare the social networks of women with BPD and a group of age and education matched healthy control women. Participants recruited from the community and local clinics were assessed at a baseline evaluation and completed follow-up questionnaires one and three months later. The effect of group on perceptions of social network quality, composition, and stability was examined. Women in the BPD group reported less satisfaction and support and more conflict and criticism from network members than healthy control women. Further, those diagnosed with BPD had social networks that were more variable in terms of these same characteristics. The BPD group reported having fewer partners at baseline and more relationships in which there had been a significant rupture or change in the past month. The effect of group on stability of network perceptions over time was significant, but the two groups did not differ in dropout rates over three-months. These results inform our understanding of the social dysfunction experienced by individuals with BPD by clarifying the nature of unstable relationships. Specifically, while those with BPD reported having lower quality relationships and more change in how they viewed their partners over time than healthy control women, they did not appear to lose network partners at a higher rate. This suggests that women diagnosed with BPD may be keeping partners in their networks despite relationships that are characterized by more conflict and criticism and less support and satisfaction. Existing interventions for BPD may benefit from an increased emphasis on building skills to form high-quality relationships and to end painful relationships, which do not provide adequate support or satisfaction.
Jennifer Cheavens, S (Advisor)
Daniel Strunk, R (Committee Member)
Robert Cudeck (Committee Member)
107 p.
Personality; Psychology
borderline personality disorder; social networks; social support; personality disorder; interpersonal functioning

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lazarus , S. A. (2015). Social network stability in borderline personality disorder: A longitudinal analysis [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1433783752

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lazarus , Sophie . Social network stability in borderline personality disorder: A longitudinal analysis. 2015. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1433783752.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lazarus , Sophie . "Social network stability in borderline personality disorder: A longitudinal analysis." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1433783752

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1433783752
2,361
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.