Do splitting and identity diffusion have respective contributions to borderline impulsive behaviors? Input from Kernberg’s model of personality.

Abstract

Kernberg’s object relations model postulates that excessive splitting compromises the integration of the positive and negative poles of the representations of self and other, as well as their arrangement into more complex and hierarchically ordered structures such as the individual’s identity, resulting in identity diffusion. In adult functioning, splitting and diffuse identity are conceived as 2 close functional related constructs and associated to borderline impulsivity. The present paper proposes an empirical investigation of Kernberg’s model, with the aim of examining the relations between splitting, identity diffusion, and impulsivity as measured with 2 instruments: one measuring the frequency of occurrence of self-damaging behaviors (BSL-B; Borderline Symptom List-23, Behavior Supplement Scale) and the other assessing the borderline impulsivity trait [Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline features, Self-Harm subscale (PAI-BOR Self-Harm subscale)]. Data from the Splitting Index (SI) and the Identity Consolidation Inventory (ICI) was collected from a nonclinical sample (N = 204). Multiple regression results showed that only identity diffusion made a significant contribution to the variance of borderline impulsivity trait (PAI-BOR Self-Harm) whereas only splitting made a significant contribution regarding the frequency of occurrence of self-damaging behaviors (BSL-B). Results suggest that both splitting and identity diffusion measures reveal respective associations with impulsivity in a nonclinical sample but these associations seem to vary depending on the instrument assessing impulsivity. Differences between the 2 impulsivity measures are discussed in relation to both psychoanalytic constructs.

The Modulating Role of Self-Referential Stimuli and Processes in the Effect of Stress and Negative Emotion on Inhibition Processes in Borderline Personality Disorder: Proposition of a Model to Integrate the Self-Concept and Inhibition Processes

“…A recent study by Gagnon, Vintiloiu, and McDuff [82] has shown that it is possible to empirically study the unique contribution of the self-concept (emotionally related with the concept of the other) and the splitting on BPD impulsive behaviors as conceptualized in Kernberg’s model. Moreover, each personality dimension was shown to be related to a specific aspect of BPD impulsivity.…”

Empirical typology of adolescent personality organization

“…Kernberg's theoretical assumptions and model of personality functioning have been the object of empirical scrutiny in recent years, and the relationship between PO, psychopathology, and PDs more specifically has been empirically supported in both clinical and non‐clinical adult populations (Ellison & Levy, 2012; Ensink, Rousseau, Biberdzic, Bégin, & Normandin, 2017; Gagnon, Vintiloiu, & McDuff, 2016; Pilarska & Suchańska, 2016; Sollberger & Walter, 2010; Stern et al, 2010; Yun, Stern, Lenzenweger, & Tiersky, 2013), with the construct of PO being used to measure structural aspects of personality functioning (Fischer‐Kern et al, 2010; Koelen et al, 2012). For example, in a clinical sample of patients with BPD, Sollberger and Walter (2010) found that BPD patients with high identity diffusion showed significantly higher levels of psychiatric symptoms, as well as higher anxiety, anger, and depression scores compared to BPD patients with lower identity diffusion.…”

Is Splitting Related to Resistance to Proactive Interference? A Process-Oriented Study of Kernberg’s Conceptualization of Splitting

“…Splitting Index [37] The French version of the SI [25] is a 24-item self-report instrument designed to assess the defense mechanism of splitting, as described in the writings of Kernberg (e.g., [7]) on self and object representations. This self-report questionnaire was initially developed and validated on a population of university students.…”