Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a debilitating personality disorder that impacts anywhere between 1% to 5% of Americans. Studies claim that women are significantly more at risk than men to suffer from this disorder and may experience stronger symptoms. Previous research has found that victims of childhood abuse such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect are more at risk for developing Borderline Personality Disorder as adults, particularly when abuse is paired with genetic susceptibility. Some researchers claim that there are no detectable racial differences in Borderline Personality Disorder, but previous studies often have very small sample sizes taken from clinical patients. To examine the sociological patterns of BPD diagnosis with a representative population sample, data was analyzed from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions to examine gender, race, and childhood abuse as predictors. Results show that racial minority status is actually a stronger predictor than gender. Examining intersectional effects shows that black women and Native American men have significantly elevated risks for BPD in adulthood. Overall, a history of sexual and emotional abuse are the most significant driving factors of BPD, regardless of race and gender.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019 / The present study investigated the gender moderated relationship between the dark tetrad personality types and sexual behaviours among African university students. Two studies were conducted using conveniently selected samples from two universities in Limpopo, South Africa. Both studies were quantitative in nature using a cross-sectional research design. An integrative theoretical approach was utilized in the conceptualization of the studies, and data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The first study (N = 261) determined the relationship between the dark tetrad personality types and sexual behaviours conceptualized as infidelity, sexual aggression, and sociosexuality. It was only sadism that had the capacity to predict infidelity and SOI-R desire. Regarding moderation, the results showed that gender only moderates the associations between Machiavellianism and SOI-R behaviour, psychopathy and SOI-R attitude, and sadism and infidelity. The second study (N = 275) examined if the relationship between the Dark Tetrad personality types and socio-sexuality would be mediated by adversarial sexual beliefs (ASB) and ambivalent sexism (benevolent [BS] and hostile sexism [HS]). Results showed that the relationship between sadism and SOI-R behaviour and desire, Machiavellianism and SOI-R behaviour and desire were fully mediated by BS, and the association between sadism and all the SOI-R components, Machiavellianism and all the SOI-R components, and psychopathy and all the SOI-R components were fully mediated ASB. Additionally, gender only moderated the ASB mediated associations between sadism and SOI-R behaviour, and sadism and SOI-R attitude. Ultimately, the study advances recommendations for future studies. / NRF ( National Research Foundation)

Bakgrund: Muskeldysmorfi (MD) är en psykologisk störning som kännetecknas avatt en person är tvångsmässigt bekymrad över sin upplevda brist på muskulatur. MDkan ha betydande negativa effekter på en persons liv, vilket kan leda till socialisolering, ökad risk för missbruk och psykisk ohälsa. Ännu finns det inga studiersom tagit upp muskeldysmorfi hos den svenska befolkningen. Syfte: Syftet medstudien var att undersöka hur vanligt det är med muskeldysmorfi hos personer somstyrketränar. Metod: Metoden som användes var en kvantitativ forskningsmetod(enkät) och studiedesignen för denna studie var en tvärsnittsstudie. Antropometriskamått, tränings- och fysisk aktivitetbakgrund, kosttillskott, sociala medier och MuscleDysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) användes som mätinstrument i dennastudie. Resultat: Resultaten visade att 21,6% av deltagarna uppfyllde dediagnostiska kriterierna av MD. Manliga deltagare (n = 54) var i genomsnitt yngreän de kvinnliga deltagarna (n = 20). Männen var även tyngre, längre och hade högreBMI än kvinnorna. Resultaten visade inga statistiskt signifikanta skillnader mellandeltagare utan symtom och deltagare med symtom av MD i träningsbakgrund,användning av sociala medier och kosttillskott. Resultaten visade inte heller någrastatistiskt signifikanta skillnader mellan män (34.28±7.37) och kvinnor (31.60 ±6.57) av MD- symtom. Konklusion: Sammanfattningsvis visade studien vilkasymtom som varit mest prevalenta inom MDDI. Resultaten gick i linje med tidigareforskning som belyst MD:s negativa inverkan på individens fysiska självvärde,psykiska hälsa, inklusive ökad risk för depression och ångest. / Background: Muscle dysmorphia (MD) is a psychological disorder characterizedby a person being obsessively concerned about their perceived lack of muscularity.MD can have significant negative effects on a person's life, leading to socialisolation, increased risk of substance abuse and mental health problems. So far,there are no studies addressing muscle dysmorphia in the Swedish population.Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of muscledysmorphia in people who do strength training. Method: The method used was aquantitative research method (questionnaire) and the study design for this study wasa cross-sectional study. Anthropometric measures, exercise and physical activitybackground, dietary supplements, social media, and the Muscle DysmorphicDisorder Inventory (MDDI) were used as measurement instruments in this study.Results: Results showed that 21.6% of participants met the diagnostic criteria ofMD. Male participants (n = 54) were on average younger than the femaleparticipants (n = 20). The men were also heavier, taller and had a higher BMI thanthe women. The results showed no statistically significant differences betweenparticipants without symptoms and participants with symptoms of MD in exercisebackground, social media use and dietary supplements. The results also showed nostatistically significant differences between men (34.28±7.37) and women(31.60±6.57) of MD symptoms. Conclusion: In summary, the study showed whichsymptoms were most prevalent in MDDI. The results were in line with previousresearch highlighting the negative impact of MD on the individual's physical selfworth, mental health, including increased risk of depression and anxiety.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the relationship between social media and Cluster B Personality Disorders: Borderline Personality Disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, and Histrionic Personality Disorder. This research builds upon previous findings by examining specific negative social media motivations and behaviors, such as excessive use and negative motivations, in relation to Cluster B Personality Disorders. Participants completed the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD; Zanarini et al., 2005), The Short Dark Triad (Jones &Paulhus, 2014), Antisocial Process Screening Device (Frick & Hare, 2002), Self-Test Histrionic Personality Disorder (Olivardia, 2022), and Motivations for Social Media Use Scale (MSMU; Rodgers et al., 2020). These instruments assess callous-unemotional traits, narcissism, impulsivity, attention-seeking behaviors, erratic behaviors, and motivations for social media use. The results indicate a significant positive correlation between extensive social media use and higher tendencies toward Cluster B Personality Disorder traits, with specific social media motivations strongly linked to distinct aspects of these disorders. This study enhances understanding of the psychological correlates of excessive social media use.

Murder, rape, corruption and gang wars, sounds like something out of a bad movie but for many it is their way of life and not a movie they can stop. Many people today live with the constant threat of attack and the threat is often not by some stranger but someone they know, their neighbour, their uncle, their father, their domestic worker and on occasion even their own mother. As crime escalates more people are asking the question,"Why this rapid increase in crime and why is there such an increase in the number of violent crimes?" South Africa is well known, unfortunately, for its high crime rate and in particular it's exceptionally high violent crime rate. South Africa is rated in the top 10 for the highest murders per capita (UNDOC 2011). Over the past 20 years the number of violent crimes has progressively increased and the reason for this increase needs to be examined. there appears to be a rapid increase in the number of people presenting personality disorders in society. A number of studies have been conducted on the etiology of anti-social personality disorder and on psychopathology. In the past the majority of these studies had been conducted in developed countries and in the past few years a number of studies have started to be conducted in developing countries. Although very interesting with great insight very few have tried to examined any trends and differences between developed and developing countries. During the course of these studies it has been observed that inmates and people exhibiting Psychopathy traits are more likely to commit violent crimes and in addition reoffend. The thesis proposed examines trends between developed and developing countries to find any links between crime and psychopathology and in addition the etiology, prevalence and prevention of psychopathology. The study will identify a number of models utilised to understand violence in society and personality disorders with particular reference to psychopathy. The study is being done in order to obtain a better understanding of a link between psychopathology and escalating crime in South Africa and what, if anything can be done to decrease this prevelance. This thesis outlines a number of diagnostic tools utilised in order to determine if a person is indeed suffering from psychopathy. Each one of these is discussed and the validity of each considered for both developed and developing countries as a diagnostic tool. The study clearly show that there are a number of unanswered questions around psychopathy within South Africa and that more research within a South African context needs to be conducted if this disorder is to be properly understood. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

Murder, rape, corruption and gang wars, sounds like something out of a bad movie but for many it is their way of life and not a movie they can stop. Many people today live with the constant threat of attack and the threat is often not by some stranger but someone they know, their neighbour, their uncle, their father, their domestic worker and on occasion even their own mother. As crime escalates more people are asking the question,"Why this rapid increase in crime and why is there such an increase in the number of violent crimes?" South Africa is well known, unfortunately, for its high crime rate and in particular it's exceptionally high violent crime rate. South Africa is rated in the top 10 for the highest murders per capita (UNDOC 2011). Over the past 20 years the number of violent crimes has progressively increased and the reason for this increase needs to be examined. there appears to be a rapid increase in the number of people presenting personality disorders in society. A number of studies have been conducted on the etiology of anti-social personality disorder and on psychopathology. In the past the majority of these studies had been conducted in developed countries and in the past few years a number of studies have started to be conducted in developing countries. Although very interesting with great insight very few have tried to examined any trends and differences between developed and developing countries. During the course of these studies it has been observed that inmates and people exhibiting Psychopathy traits are more likely to commit violent crimes and in addition reoffend. The thesis proposed examines trends between developed and developing countries to find any links between crime and psychopathology and in addition the etiology, prevalence and prevention of psychopathology. The study will identify a number of models utilised to understand violence in society and personality disorders with particular reference to psychopathy. The study is being done in order to obtain a better understanding of a link between psychopathology and escalating crime in South Africa and what, if anything can be done to decrease this prevelance. This thesis outlines a number of diagnostic tools utilised in order to determine if a person is indeed suffering from psychopathy. Each one of these is discussed and the validity of each considered for both developed and developing countries as a diagnostic tool. The study clearly show that there are a number of unanswered questions around psychopathy within South Africa and that more research within a South African context needs to be conducted if this disorder is to be properly understood. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

In many cultures and religions of the world the belief in transcendental realities, like God, the Devil and other benevolent and malevolent spirits are widespread. These realities are constructed in different ways, depending upon context. In light of the development Western industrial societies have undergone, it follows that the belief in transcendental realities may have given way to beliefs that are steeped more, in empiricism. However, understanding the belief in transcendental realities seems to be gaining renewed interest in various social science disciplines in light of the fact that claims of experiences of spirit possession are escalating. The implication this understanding has on the treatment a patient receives is likely to depend upon the training of the practitioner consulted. It follows that the experiences of patients who believe they are possessed by a spirit is as equally important to practitioners of psychology as it is to theologians. Psychologists would likely ascribe a spirit possession to a psychological experience; while theologians will attest to the presence of a spiritual illness. This project focussed on Free Church pastors in Germany and their perceptions of spirit possession and mental illness. To explore Free Church pastors understanding of spirit possession and mental illness is critical in light of the overlap of symptoms. Misdiagnosis may result in a client receiving treatment which may not be appropriate. Interviews with Free Church pastors were conducted. The results were analysed and 4 themes were identified. Based on these interviews conclusions could be drawn which ultimately made it clear that the German free church pastors’ theological training needs to be supplemented in the area of psychology and that the pastors are unable to cope in the area of ‘spirit possession or mental illness’ / Psychology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

Depuis la désinstitutionalisation dans les milieux psychiatriques, il a été souvent mentionné qu’une augmentation des admissions dans les milieux carcéraux et de psychiatrie légale était en cours afin de prendre soin des personnes atteintes de troubles mentaux graves (TMG). Parallèlement, plusieurs auteurs ont rapporté que les individus ayant des troubles mentaux sévères sont plus à risque de perpétrer des gestes antisociaux ou de violence. À l’égard de cette problématique, nous soutenons le modèle de la spécificité clinique. Celui-ci précise que des profils psychopathologiques particuliers augmentent le risque de violence, conduisent à différents types de fonctionnement social et articulent la demande de soins. L’environnement a, de plus, un effet modulateur au niveau du fonctionnement distinctif de l’individu. Une relation bidirectionnelle se construit entre la spécificité psychopathologique et l’environnement, plus particulièrement en ce qui a trait aux relations interpersonnelles, au milieu socioéconomique, au patron d’utilisation des services de psychiatrie et à l’interaction avec le système de justice qui déterminent subséquemment le type de prise en charge ou le statut légal du patient. Afin d’appuyer ce modèle, les profils des patients atteints de TMG en fonction des statuts légaux, du milieu de soins (psychiatrie générale et psychiatrie légale) et de l’utilisation des mesures d’isolement et de contentions ont été examinés. Les patients ont été évalués par des mesures sociodémographiques (indicateurs du fonctionnement social, des relations interpersonnelles et du milieu socioéconomique), psychodiagnostiques (SCID-I et II) et de la psychopathie. De même, le dossier criminel, les dossiers médicaux hospitaliers et administratifs (MED-ECHO et RAMQ) ont été observés. Les devis étaient rétrospectifs. Par ailleurs, au niveau de l’interaction entre les services de psychiatrie et l’individu atteint d’un TMG, nous avons exploré la perception subjective des intervenants en santé mentale quant à l’agressivité et la violence. Nous avons considéré l’impact de cette perception sur la manière d’offrir des soins, plus particulièrement en ce qui a trait aux mesures coercitives (mesures d’isolement avec ou sans contentions), lors des hospitalisations. Les cinq études ont appuyé l’idée d’une spécificité clinique tant sur le plan des profils cliniques des individus que sur la manière d’offrir les services, spécialement au niveau des mesures de contrôles. Les caractéristiques de la personne et de l’environnement semblent de ce fait jouer un rôle important dans le type de services que recevra un individu souffrant de TMG. Ces travaux ouvrent sur la possibilité de mieux déterminer l’étiologie et la gestion de la violence de même que la manière dont le système s’occupe des patients à risque de violence. / Since deinstitutionalization in psychiatry, it has often been mentioned that individuals who in the past would have been cared for in psychiatric hospitals are today ending up in forensic hospitals or, worse, in prison. Meanwhile, several authors have reported that individuals with severe mental illness are more likely to commit antisocial acts or violence. In respect of this issue, we support the clinical specificity model. It specifies that psychopathological profiles increase the risk of violence and lead to different types of social functioning. The environment has also a modulating effect on the functioning of the individual distinctiveness. A bidirectional relationship is built between the specific psychopathology and the environment, particularly with regard to interpersonal relationships, socioeconomic background, the pattern of psychiatric services use and the interaction with the justice system that subsequently determine the type of care or patient's legal status. To support this hypothesis, we examined the profiles of patients with severe mental illness based on legal status and care setting (general psychiatry and forensic psychiatry) and the use of seclusion and restraint. Patients were evaluated by sociodemographic measures (indicators of social functioning, interpersonal relationships and socioeconomic background) and measures of psychodiagnostic (SCID-I and II) and psychopathy. In addition, criminal records, official provincial government physician-billing and hospitalization files (MED-ECHO and Medicare) were observed. The designs were retrospectives. Moreover, in order to explore the subjective perception of aggression and violence of mental health workers, the level of interaction that occurs between psychiatric services and the individual suffering from severe mental illness, were evaluated. We considered the impact of this perception on how to provide care, particularly with respect to coercive measures (measures of seclusion with or without restraints) during hospitalization. The five studies have supported the clinical specificity of both the clinical profiles of individuals and the way to deliver services, especially coercion. The characteristics of the individual and the environment seem to play an important role in the type of service received by an individual with severe mental illness. This work opens the possibility in subsequent studies to better determine the etiology of aggression, how to manage violence and to identify the care offered on the issue.

INTRODUÇÃO: As adversidades na infância são experiências comuns e associadas a uma série de desfechos negativos ao longo da vida. Maus tratos e disfunção familiar também estão implicados em transtornos de personalidade na idade adulta, mas ainda não foram esclarecidos os mecanismos e processos subjacentes. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo principal é investigar a associação entre adversidades na infância e patologia da personalidade na população adulta residente na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Será testada a hipótese de que essa relação seja mediada por traços de afetividade positiva e negativa. Também será avaliada a prevalência das adversidades na infância, a sua distribuição e agregação, assim como a epidemiologia dos transtornos da personalidade, ainda amplamente desconhecida no Brasil devido à falta de estudos com amostras representativas da nossa população. MÉTODOS: Os dados foram provenientes do São Paulo Megacity, estudo com uma amostra representativa dos adultos residentes na Grande São Paulo (n=2.942). Foram utilizadas regressão multivariada, análise multinível e modelagem de equações estruturais. RESULTADOS: Mais da metade (53,6%) dos adultos da Grande São Paulo relatou alguma adversidade na infância, sendo as mais comuns a morte parental, o abuso físico e a violência familiar. Em geral, essas experiências não ocorreram de maneira isolada, especialmente as consideradas mais graves, como o abuso sexual. Também foi elevada a prevalência de patologia da personalidade: 6,8% dos adultos apresentaram algum transtorno, sendo mais comum o Cluster C (4,6%), seguido pelos Clusters A (4,3%) e B (2,7%). Esses quadros estavam independentemente associados a prejuízos funcionais, especialmente nos domínios cognitivo e de interação social. Entretanto, com exceção do Cluster C, não houve associação com uso de serviços de saúde após o ajuste para outros diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Todos os transtornos da personalidade estavam associados a adversidades na infância, e a maior ocorrência foi encontrada no Cluster B (71,8%). Os eventos mais relacionados foram abuso físico, psicopatologia parental, criminalidade parental e violência familiar. Essas relações respeitaram um gradiente dose-resposta: quanto maior o número de exposições, maior a probabilidade de transtorno da personalidade. Essas associações foram parcialmente mediadas pelo aumento do afeto negativo, mas não pela diminuição do afeto positivo. CONCLUSÕES: As adversidades na infância são experiências frequentes, que tendem a se agregar em redes complexas, indicando a existência de contextos abusivos. Os expostos têm uma probabilidade aumentada de patologia da personalidade, quadros com significativas repercussões funcionais. Os resultados ressaltam a necessidade de se investigar uma história de eventos adversos na infância e abordar as suas consequências afetivas em pacientes com transtornos da personalidade. Esse estudo também pode trazer alguma contribuição à Saúde Pública. Possivelmente, o esclarecimento dessas cadeias de eventos pode ajudar no delineamento de potenciais alvos para intervenção. Estratégias preventivas, como o treinamento de habilidades parentais, podem ser direcionadas às famílias sob maior risco, e as crianças e adolescentes que já foram expostos podem ser elegíveis para programas voltados à regulação emocional. Investigações futuras devem avaliar se essas estratégias podem reduzir a ocorrência e o ônus associado aos transtornos da personalidade / INTRODUCTION: Childhood adversities are common experiences associated with a series of negative outcomes throughout the life cycle. Child abuse and family dysfunction are also related to personality disorders in adulthood, but the underlying mechanisms and processes are yet to be clarified. OBJECTIVES: The main objective is to investigate the relationship between childhood adversities and personality pathology on the adult population residing in the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Area. The study will also test the hypothesis that this association is mediated by positive and negative affectivity traits. Furthermore, it will estimate the prevalence of childhood adversities, its distribution and aggregation, as well as the epidemiology of personality disorders, still largely unknown in Brazil due to the lack of studies with representative samples of our population. METHODS: Data come from Sao Paulo Megacity, a survey with a representative sample of adults residing in Greater Sao Paulo (n=2,942). Analyses used multivariate regression, multilevel analysis and structural equation modeling. RESULTS: More than half (53.6%) of the adults in Greater Sao Paulo reported any childhood adversity, and the most common were parental death, physical abuse and family violence. In general, these experiences did not occur in isolation, especially those considered more serious, such as sexual abuse. The prevalence of personality pathology was also high: 6.8% of the adults had any personality disorder. Cluster C was the most frequent condition (4.6%), followed by Clusters A (4.3%) and B (2.7%). These disorders were independently associated with functional impairment, especially in cognitive and social interaction domains. However, with the exception of Cluster C, there was no association with health services use after control for other psychiatric diagnoses. All personality disorders were related to childhood adversities, and the most frequent occurrence was detected in Cluster B (71.8%). The mostly associated events were physical abuse, parental psychopathology, parental criminality and family violence. Associations followed a dose-response gradient: the greater the number of exposures, the greater the probability of a personality disorder. These relationships were partially mediated by an increase in negative affect, but not by a decrease in positive affect. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood adversities are frequent and tend to aggregate in complex networks, indicating the existence of contexts of abuse. The exposed have an increased probability of personality pathology, a group of conditions with significant functional repercussions. These results highlight the need of investigating a history of childhood adverse events and targeting its affective consequences in patients with personality disorders. This study may also have some contribution to public health efforts. Perhaps the clarification of these chains of events allows delineating potential targets for intervention. Prevention strategies, such as parenting skills training, may be directed to at-risk families, and already exposed children and adolescents may be eligible to programs aiming emotional regulation. Future studies should evaluate if these strategies can reduce the occurrence and the burden associated with personality disorders