Understanding interpersonal dysfunction in Borderline Personality Disorder: a naturalistic dyadic study reveals absence of relationship-protective empathic inaccuracy
The core interpersonal dysfunction in borderline personality disorder (BPD) has not yet been conclusively explained. We used a naturalistic dyadic paradigm to test for the presence of functional empathic inaccuracy in BPD, which is a reduced understanding of the partner’s feelings in relationship-th...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
March 12, 2017
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| In: |
Clinical psychological science
Year: 2017, Volume: 5, Issue: 2, Pages: 355-366 |
| ISSN: | 2167-7034 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/2167702616683505 |
| Online Access: | Verlag, Pay-per-use, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2167702616683505 Verlag, Pay-per-use, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702616683505 
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| Author Notes: | Annemarie Miano, Isabel Dziobek, and Stefan Roepke |
| Summary: | The core interpersonal dysfunction in borderline personality disorder (BPD) has not yet been conclusively explained. We used a naturalistic dyadic paradigm to test for the presence of functional empathic inaccuracy in BPD, which is a reduced understanding of the partner’s feelings in relationship-threatening situations. A total of 64 heterosexual couples (N = 128) were videotaped while engaging in (a) neutral (favorite films), (b) personally threatening (personal fears), and (c) relationship-threatening (separation from partner) conversations. Females were either diagnosed with BPD or healthy controls. Empathic accuracy (EA) was measured from the recorded interactions. Healthy couples’ EA was lower during relationship-threatening compared with personally threatening situations. In contrast, women with BPD showed increased EA, relative to the controls, for relationship- versus personally threatening situations. Reduced EA in response to relationship-threatening situations is likely to be relationship protective. This mechanism appears to be defective in women with BPD, which might explain the interpersonal difficulties experienced by BPD individuals. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 25.10.2017 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2167-7034 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/2167702616683505 |