An Emotional Neglect–Personality Disorder Approach: Quantifying a Dimensional Transdiagnostic Model of Trauma-Related and Personality Disorders

Abstract

Are personality disorders (PDs) associated with emotional neglect? Draijer (2003) developed a dimensional model of trauma-related disorders and PD. The first dimension consists of the severity of the trauma endured. The second dimension consists of emotional neglect, which is assumed to be related primarily to personality pathology. In this article, we investigate whether an association between retrospective reports of emotional neglect and the presence and severity of PD exists. A sample of 150 patients was systematically assessed. Results indicate that there is little evidence to support a link between emotional neglect and problematic personality functioning at the disorder level; however, there might be a link between emotional neglect and problematic personality functioning in a dimensional way. Findings indicate a relationship between lack of parental warmth and problematic personality functioning, supporting the existence of the emotional neglectaxis of the proposed model in a dimensional framework of viewing personality pathology.

The course of (comorbid) trauma-related, dissociative and personality disorders: two year follow up of the Friesland study cohort

“…The baseline data showed that, independently of which diagnosis-driven treatment program patients were referred to, both patient groups suffered equally from TRDs, DDs and PDs (Wildschut, Swart, Langeland, Smit, & Draijer, 2018a). Findings also indicated that PTSD, Complex PTSD (CPTSD) and DDs may all be conceived as a TRD dimension, with ascending severity associated with reported trauma severity (Wildschut, Swart, Langeland, Smit, & Draijer, 2018b). This latter finding pleads for a more integrative view on the psychopathology and treatment of patients who report childhood trauma.…”

“…In addition to sociodemographic characteristics, we also evaluated possible differences in the clinical profiles of non-respondents. In describing the presence of TRDs and DDs, we used a 'trauma-diagnosis severity score', which we had constructed previously (Wildschut et al, 2018b). This ordinal scale (0 = no PTSD, 1 = PTSD, 2 = CPTSD, 3 = Dissociative disorder not otherwise specified [DDNOS], 4 = DID) is based on the outcomes of the structured interviews CAPS, SIDES and SCID-D, in which patients with comorbidity are classified according to their most severe disorder.…”

Risk of Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents Exposed to Maltreatment: The Mediating Role of Borderline Personality Traits and Recent Stressful Life Events

“…Thus, it would be interesting to evaluate subjects based on a continuum, ranging from suicide ideation to suicide attempts, during childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, considering the dose-response effect reported in the literature, a more trait-specific approach based on the multi-dimensional nature of PDs could be more useful when studying young populations [77]. Indeed, predictive personality traits in the general population, which have not yet been diagnosed or treated by mental health services, could prove useful to reducing the likelihood of risky behaviours.…”

Reimagining Attachment Traumas: Perspectives on Using Image-Making in Psychoeducation for People with Borderline Personality Disorder

“…We now know that understanding the relationship between attachment, trauma and affect regulation is central to treating patients with a diagnosis of BPD. Evidence suggests that symptoms of BPD have a multifactorial psychobiological aetiology and include attachment trauma reactions to a range of harmful events, including childhood physical and sexual abuse [1][2][3][4][5], early neglect [6,7] and invalidation [8]. Attachment traumas in this context refer to an intergenerational disorganised condition of relationship that results in disassociation, high affect arousal 'stemming from fright without solution' [9].…”