Social networks in borderline personality disorder.
The interpersonal dysfunction that characterizes borderline personality disorder (BPD) has generally been studied using broad global measures, leading to a lack of precision. We report on a novel methodology using social network analysis (SNA) to quantify interactions with others in the patient's social world. We assessed the social networks of 22 clinical patients, diagnosed with either BPD (N = 11) or no personality disorder (No PD; N = 11). The social networks of patients with BPD contained a greater number of former romantic partners, and a greater number of relationships that had been terminated. Mixed model analyses found that the No PD group reported higher levels of positive relationships (e.g., trust, social support) with more central members of their social networks, whereas the BPD group did not discriminate among members of their networks. Results suggest deficits in social cognition for positive relations, but not for negative relations such as interpersonal conflict.
Department of Psychology, Vassar College, Box 713, 124 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12604, USA. alclifton@vassar.edu
Allan
A
Clifton
Paul A
PA
Pilkonis
Christopher
C
McCarty
D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires