Document Type
Article
Abstract
This study examines whether self-verification strivings are greater for individuals with elevated features of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) than individuals with minimal features of BPD, and whether this is especially true for those in committed romantic relationships. Participants (N = 329) completed an online questionnaire that included an assessment of their: (1) relationship status, (2) degree of BPD traits, (3) social self concept, and (4) preference for negative feedback. Results of the study evinced a negative correlation between social self concept and the preference for negative feedback, replicating prior evidence of self-verification strivings. These strivings, however, were greatest for participants with BPD features who were involved in a relationship compared to participants with BPD features who were not in a relationship or to participants without BPD features. These results suggest that committed, exclusive romantic relationships either exacerbate or fail to meet the self-verification needs of individuals with BPD features. The implications of these findings for our understanding of BPD and for future research are discussed.
DOI
10.1521/jscp.2014.33.5.463
Publication Date
5-1-2014
Recommended Citation
David P. Valentiner, Regina Hiraoka, and John J. Skowronski (2014). Borderline Personality Disorder Features, Self-Verification, and Committed Relationships. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 463-480.
Original Citation
David P. Valentiner, Regina Hiraoka, and John J. Skowronski (2014). Borderline Personality Disorder Features, Self-Verification, and Committed Relationships. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: Vol. 33, No. 5, pp. 463-480.
Legacy Department
Department of Psychology
Language
eng
Comments
This article was originally published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology. The version of record can be found here: http://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2014.33.5.463