title: A multi-method laboratory investigation of emotional reactivity and emotion regulation abilities in borderline personality disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is conceptualized as a disorder of heightened emotional reactivity and difficulties with emotion regulation. However, findings regarding emotional reactivity in BPD are mixed and there are limited studies examining emotion regulation capabilities in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five individuals with BPD and 30 healthy controls (HCs) engaged in a baseline assessment followed by the presentation of neutral and BPD-relevant negative images. Participants were instructed to react as they naturally would to the image, or to use a mindfulness-based or distraction-based strategy to feel less negative. Self-reported and physiological (i.e., heart rate, electrodermal activity, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia) measures were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with the HCs, the BPD group exhibited elevated heart rate and reduced respiratory sinus arrhythmia at baseline. However, there were no differences in emotional reactivity in self-report or physiological indices between the two groups. In addition, the BPD group did not exhibit deficits in the ability to implement either emotion regulation strategy, with the exception that the BPD group reported less positive emotions while distracting compared with the HCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study is limited by a small sample size and the inclusion of a medicated BPD sample.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Emotion dysregulation in BPD might be better accounted for by abnormal baseline emotional functioning rather than heightened emotional reactivity or deficits in emotion regulation. Treatments for BPD might be enhanced by directly targeting resting state emotional functioning rather than emotional reactions or regulatory attempts.
authors.affiliation: Ryerson University, Department of Psychology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: jkuo@psych.ryerson.ca.
authors.forename: Janice R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.affiliation: Ryerson University, Department of Psychology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Skye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.affiliation: Ryerson University, Department of Psychology, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Rebecca K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.affiliation: Borderline Personality Disorder Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Shelley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McMain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065809:Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia / Q000502:physiology*; D000068356:Self-Control
keywords: Borderline personality disorder; Emotion regulation; Emotional intensity; Emotional reactivity; Mindfulness