Borderline personality disorder and violence in the UK population: categorical and dimensional trait assessment

Abstract

BackgroundBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterised by difficulties with impulse control and affective dysregulation. It is unclear whether BPD contributes to the perpetration of violence or whether this is explained by comorbidity. We explored independent associations between categorical and dimensional representations of BPD and violence in the general population, and differential associations from individual BPD criteria.MethodsWe used a representative combined sample of 14,753 men and women from two British national surveys of adults (≥16 years). BPD was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview II- Questionnaire. We measured self-reported violent behaviour in the past 5 years, including severity, victims and locations of incidents. Associations for binary, dimensional and trait-level exposures were performed using weighted logistic regression, adjusted for demography and comorbid psychopathology.ResultsCategorical diagnosis of BPD was associated only with intimate partner violence (IPV). Associations with serious violence leading to injuries and repetitive violence were better explained by comorbid substance misuse, anxiety and antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). However, anger and impulsivity BPD items were independently associated with most violent outcomes including severity, repetition and injury; suicidal behaviours and affective instability were not associated with violence. Both trait-level and severity-dimensional analyses showed that BPD symptoms might impact males and females differently in terms of violence.ConclusionsFor individuals diagnosed BPD, violence is better explained by comorbidity. However, BPD individual traits show different pathways to violence at the population level. Gender differences in BPD traits and their severity indicate distinct, underlying mechanisms towards violence. BPD and traits should be evaluated in perpetrators of IPV.

Social Media as a Contributing Stressor to Intimate Partner Violence and Femicide

“…The study noted that men and women respond very differently to BPD symptoms. Gonzales et al (2016) also noted that transient paranoid ideation could be experienced by those exhibiting BPD. This would support the notion that men and women could develop paranoid ideation because of a stressful breakup which is subsequently amplified by ambiguous or provocative postings which suggest there is no chance of reconciliation.…”

“…In contrast, Gonzales, Igoumenou, Constantinos, and Coid (2016) carried out studies related to borderline personality and violence that focused on the amount and type of violence perpetrated and any co-morbid conditions that were considered to exist. Their mode of study was 1400 self-report questionnaires.…”

“…Gonzales et al (2016) noted that although BPD was related to violence, that serious violence which caused injuries or repeated injuries appeared to be related to co-morbidity. Gonzales et al (2016) were also able to see a correlation between BPD, co-morbidity, and substance misuse. The most interesting result was the high correlation of co-morbid anxiety disorders.…”

“…Gonzales et al (2016) reported that: "co-morbid substance misuse, anxiety disorder and anti social personality disorder" lead to severe violence. Gonzales et al (2016) also stated that BPD correlated particularly to violence occurring in the home. Thus, it would suggest that BPD with APD traits might be found in the domestic/revenge social media murderers.…”

“…Thus, it would suggest that BPD with APD traits might be found in the domestic/revenge social media murderers. Gonzales et al (2016) has argued that it is the combination of the anger and impulsiveness associated with BDP that are most closely connected to occurrences of severe violence.…”