Term of Award
Fall 2016
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D.)
Document Type and Release Option
Dissertation (open access)
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Department of Psychology
Committee Chair
Jeff Klibert
Committee Member 1
Thresa Yancey
Committee Member 2
Nick Holtzman
Abstract
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a chronic condition that warrants further empirical investigation. Considering the potentially lethal consequences and therapeutic challenges associated with features of BPD, it is important for researchers to explore pathways that will advance theory, assessment, and interventions that target BPD symptoms. One interactive theory that may predict variation in BPD symptoms is the cognitive-vulnerability model. Examining the cognitive vulnerability model in the context of BPD symptoms is the overall goal of the dissertation project. Specifically, the current study examined the mediator effects of maladaptive schemas on the adverse event-BPD symptom relationship. Four hundred and fifteen undergraduate students completed demographic information and three surveys online. Results indicated that both disconnection/rejection schemas and impaired limits schemas partially mediated the relationship between negative life events and borderline personality features. Further, contrast effects revealed that disconnection/rejection schemas were the better suited mediator for the model. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Seal, Danielle E., "Examining Cognitive Vulnerability Models to Borderline Personality Features in a Sample of Emerging Adults" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1289.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/1289
