Early maladaptive schemas associated with dimensional and categorical psychopathology in patients with borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Two schema domains, disconnection/rejection and other-directedness, were directly associated with dimensional and categorical psychopathology among borderline personality disorder patients. These findings provide further information about the foundations and target interventions when implementing schema-focused therapy on this population.

Early maladaptive schemas and borderline personality disorder features in a nonclinical sample: A network analysis

“…That is, the identity problems feature was associated with EMSs abandonment, insufficient self-control, dependence/incompetence, and vulnerability to harm/illness schemas; BPD negative relations showed unique connections with mistrust/abuse and abandonment, and BPD self-harm was uniquely connected to emotional deprivation and failure. These findings were partially consistent with prior studies linking the BPD with EMSs (e.g., Bach & Farrell, 2018;Ball & Cecero, 2001;Barazandeh et al, 2016;Butler, Brown, Beck, & Grisham, 2002;Frias et al, 2017;Gilbert & Daffern, 2013;Jovev & Jackson, 2004;Lawrence et al, 2011;Nilsson et al, 2010;Nordahl, Holthe, & Haugum, 2005;Reeves & Taylor, 2007;Shorey et al, 2014;Specht et al, 2009). However, most of these studies have typically explored the association between BPD symptoms as a whole and the main EMSs, rather than exploring the distinctive relations between specific BPD features and schemas.…”

“…Furthermore, several studies have explored relations between severity of BPD symptoms and schema domains. For example, Frias et al () discovered direct associations between disconnection/rejection and other‐directedness domains and occurrence of psychopathology among BPD patients. Other researchers proposed themes related to impaired autonomy and over‐vigilance would be common among individuals with BPD (e.g., Lawrence et al, ).…”

“…Abandonment and mistrust/abuse schemas are the most consistent and reliable EMSs associated with BPD psychopathology in both clinical and nonclinical samples, but findings on the relationships between BPD and other EMSs are less consistent. Research mainly shows that BPD is related to abandonment, mistrust/abuse, social isolation, emotional deprivation, defectiveness/shame, dependence/incompetence, and insufficient self-control schemas in clinical samples (Bach & Farrell, 2018;Bach, Lockwood, et al, 2017;Bach, Simonsen, et al, 2017;Frias et al, 2017;Gilbert & Daffern, 2013;Jovev & Jackson, 2004;Lawrence, Allen, & Chanen, 2011;Loper, 2003;Nilsson, Jørgensen, Straarup, & Licht, 2010;Shorey, Anderson, & Stuart, 2014;Specht, Chapman, & Cellucci, 2009).…”

Burnout amongst clinical and counselling psychologist: The role of early maladaptive schemas and coping modes as vulnerability factors

“…Abandonment and mistrust/abuse, both EMS in the disconnection–rejection domain, involve the perceived instability and unreliability of those available for support and connection (abandonment) and the expectation that others will hurt, abuse, humiliate, manipulate, or take advantage. EMS in this domain have been linked to a wide range of psychopathology and interpersonal avoidance (e.g., Bosmans, Braet, & Vlierberghe, ; Frías et al, ). Exposure to distressing client narratives associated with abuse and abandonment may lead to repeated activation of therapists' own unhealed EMS, further increasing the risk of EE.…”

“…EMS in this domain have been linked to a wide range of psychopathology and interpersonal avoidance (e.g., Bosmans, Braet, & Vlierberghe, 2010;Frías et al, 2018). Exposure to distressing client narratives associated with abuse and abandonment may lead to repeated activation of therapists' own unhealed EMS, further increasing the risk of EE.…”