Borderline Personality Traits and Romantic Relationship Dissolution.

Many studies have found that borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with romantic relationship instability, with relationship dissolution being a recurring theme. Scant research, however, has examined the dissolution strategies and post-breakup outcomes for individuals with elevated levels of borderline traits. Findings from two studies revealed that there was an association between BPD criteria and tendency to employ less adaptive dissolution strategies when terminating a relationship. Furthermore, elevated levels of BPD traits were associated with less self-concept clarity and more unwanted pursuit of ex-partners. These findings both provide insight into how individuals with BPD traits experience relationship dissolution and suggest possible factors underlying the unstable relationship processes typically associated with borderline traits.

The longitudinal impact of DSM-5 Section III specific personality disorders on relationship satisfaction.

Maladaptive personality features, in the form of dimensional traits or symptoms of personality disorders, have been linked with lower levels of relationship satisfaction. Most of this research, however, has been cross-sectional, and little is known about the effect of specific personality disorder types, as measured dimensionally, on relationship satisfaction. In the current study, we used actor partner interdependence modeling (APIM) with self-reported personality traits from the Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition and spouse-reported traits from the Personality Inventory for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Informant Report Form. Composite scores for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition Section III Specific Personality Disorder Types, based on combinations of PID facets as outlined in the Section III criteria, were used to predict relationship satisfaction 1 year after personality was assessed. The alternative model of personality disorders composites significantly predicted relationship satisfaction both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Results indicated that spouse reports of personality disorder types from the alternative model of personality disorders framework were robust predictors of satisfaction. Thus, individuals who perceive their partners as high in personality pathology (at any point in a relationship) are likely to be subsequently dissatisfied in the relationship. Interventions targeting perceptions of one's partner might be an effective way to improve marital satisfaction for these individuals. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Dimensional latent factor structure of psychopathology in adults with chronic illness.

The goal of the present study was to determine if the internalizing and externalizing model of psychopathology is applicable in a sample of adults with chronic illness. Confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the factor structure of internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a sample of adults (N = 172) with a unique chronic physical health condition (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; POTS) and in a sample of adults without any chronic illness diagnoses (N = 199). Measurement invariance was used to compare levels of internalizing and externalizing symptoms across samples. Confirmatory factor analyses suggested that psychological distress in individuals with chronic illness can be effectively characterized by an internalizing dimension composed of distress and fear subcomponents as well as an externalizing dimension. Measurement invariance testing reached adequate levels of fit, allowing for examination of latent means; individuals with chronic illness had higher scores on the internalizing dimension and lower scores on the externalizing dimension than healthy controls. Regression analyses suggested that among those with a chronic illness, internalizing symptoms were significantly, negatively related to acceptance of illness and higher health-related quality of life. Findings suggest that assessing internalizing symptoms broadly may allow for better identification of chronically ill individuals experiencing psychological distress than a focus on categorical diagnoses. However, professionals also need to be aware of the overlap between physical and psychological symptoms in adults with chronic illnesses in order to avoid inaccurate diagnoses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).