Parmi les patients souffrant d'épilepsie, particulièrement du lobe temporal (ELT), 30% restent résistants aux médicaments malgré l'administration optimale des traitements pharmacologiques. Le caractère imprédictible des crises est l’un des aspects les plus invalidants de la maladie. De plus, les troubles dépressifs et anxieux sont des comorbidités psychiatriques fréquemment associées à l’épilepsie et impactent encore plus négativement la qualité de vie que les crises. Les approches par biofeedback, ont démontré leur efficacité dans le contrôle des crises. Une thérapie par biofeedback sur la conductance cutanée (GSR biofeedback) a montré son efficacité sur les symptômes psychiatriques. Cependant, les mécanismes sous-tendant l’efficacité sur ces symptômes restent peu connus. L’objectif de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre ces mécanismes. Deux pistes sont explorées : une physiologique dans laquelle il existerait un effet direct du GSR biofeedback sur la régulation physiologique des émotions ; une attentionnelle, dans laquelle il y aurait un effet indirect de l’entraînement sur le contrôle de l’attention. Les études menées ont permis de montrer que les patients avec ELT présentent des réponses électrodermales aux émotions plus faibles que des témoins, mais qu'elles ne sont pas plus élevées après des séances de GSR biofeedback. En revanche, l’amélioration des symptômes anxieux et dépressifs est liée à des modifications du traitement attentionnel des informations menaçantes. Le GSR biofeedback en améliorant le contrôle attentionnel induirait une diminution de la vigilance face à la menace, conduisant à une réduction de la vulnérabilité émotionnelle chez ces patients. / Among patients with epilepsy, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), 30% remain drug-resistant despite optimal administration of pharmacological treatments. The unpredictability of seizures is one of the most disabling aspects of the disease. In addition, depressive and anxiety disorders are psychiatric comorbidities frequently associated with epilepsy and have a greater negative impact on quality of life than seizures. Biofeedback approaches have been shown to be effective in controlling seizures. A biofeedback therapy on skin conductance (GSR biofeedback) has shown its efficacy on psychiatric symptoms. However, the mechanisms underlying this efficacy remain poorly understood. The objective of this thesis is to better understand these mechanisms. Two tracks are explored: a physiological one in which there is a direct effect of GSR biofeedback on the physiological regulation of emotions; an attentional one, in which there would be an indirect effect of the training on the control of attention. The studies presented have shown that TLE patients have weaker electrodermal responses than controls but that they are not higher after GSR biofeedback sessions. In contrast, the improvement of anxiety and depressive symptoms is related to changes in the attentional processing of threatening information. GSR biofeedback by improving attentional control would lead to a decrease in alertness to threat, leading to a reduction in emotional vulnerability in these patients.

Cette thèse porte sur le Trouble du Stress Post-Traumatique consécutif à la situation de guerre en Irak. Les études réalisées dans le cadre de ce travail de recherche portent sur un large échantillon de civils. Le premier objectif était méthodologique: puisque les travaux réalisés allaient permettre l’adaptation d’outils d’évaluation clinique à la population Irakienne et l’appréciation de leur utilité auprès des différents groupes examinés. Le second objectif était théorique. En effet, les données collectées allaient permettre d’étudier de très près les modes d’expressions du stress post-traumatiques auprès de notre échantillon de civils et les liens qu’il peut avoir avec d’autres variables psychologiques tels que la régulation émotionnelle, la dissociation et le soutien social. / This thesis deals with post-traumatic stress following the war situation in Iraq. The studies carried out in the framework of this research work cover a large sample of civilians. The first objective was methodological: since the work carried out would allow the adaptation of clini-cal assessment tools to the Iraqi population and the assessment of their usefulness to the dif-ferent groups examined. The second objective was theoretical. The data collected would allow us to study very closely the modes of expressions of post-traumatic stress in our sample of civilians and the links it may have with other psychological variables such as emotional regu-lation, dissociation and social support.

No description available.

Ce travail s'inscrit dans le cadre de la psychopathologie clinique et propose une articulation entre les données des neurosciences et la clinique rencontrée dans un CSAPA.Une première partie s'intéresse à la phénoménologie du processus addictif avec ses phases successives aboutissant à une demande de soins suite à l'aliénation finale produite par la consommation de drogue. Cette demande de soins est, généralement, d'abord le recours à un traitement de substitution qui s'accompagne parfois d'un suivi psychologique.Dans une seconde partie, l'hypothèse sur la genèse de l'addiction concernant la vulnérabilité narcissique repérée chez les patients et ses soubassements neurobiologiques sont abordés. La prise de drogue serait une façon de faire émerger le vrai-self en surmontant le système défensif mis en place pour se protéger des traumatismes induit par l'environnement primaire. Un premier cas clinique est exposé en détail afin d'apporter la preuve d'existence de traumatisme, y compris transgénérationnel, et du déroulement implacable de l'addiction. D'autres cas cliniques suivent, centrés sur une dimension ou un moment particulier du suivi, pour illustrer d'autres aspects du processus addictif. L'impact neurobiologique des traumas est également développé, ce qui permet de l'articuler avec plusieurs concepts, en particuliers winnicottien.Une troisième partie propose plusieurs fonctions à l'addiction (rôles défensif, antidépressif et de régulation affective) avec des exemples cliniques et les bases neuroscientifiques actuellement connues. Bien que l'expérience de la clinique psychanalytique soit à un niveau de complexité bien supérieur à ce qui est aujourd'hui accessible aux neurosciences, la plupart des recherches dans ce domaine vont dans le sens de la compréhension psychologique des processus addictifs.Pour terminer, sont tracés les grands traits d'un modèle hypothétique de l'addiction aux drogues et les points les plus sensibles concernant l'accompagnement thérapeutique. / This thesis, fit into the framework of clinical psychopathology, proposes an articulation between data of the neurosciences and the practice met in a CSAPA.The first part is devoted to the phenomenology of the addicting process with its successive phases that end in a request of care as a response to the final alienation produced by drug use. This request of care is, generally, at first, a request for a substitution treatment, which sometimes comes along with a psychological follow-up.In the second part, the hypothesis on the addiction’s genesis regarding the narcissistic vulnerability spotted in patients and their neurobiological bases is examined. Drug use would be a way to make arise the true self, thus overcoming the defensive system set up to protect oneself from traumas induced by the first environment. A first detailed clinical example represents an attempt to establish the existence of trauma, including of transgenerational origin, and the associated unrelenting course of addiction. Other clinical cases are examined, centered on a different aspect or on a specific moment of the support encounters, in order to illustrate other aspects of the addicting process. The neurobiological impact of traumas is also developed, that allows to articulate it with several concepts, particularly those of Winnicott.The third part proposes several functions to the addiction (defensive and anti-depressive roles, emotional regulation) with clinical examples and the neuroscientific bases currently known. Although experience in the psychoanalytical clinic is at a level of complexity much higher than what is currently accessible to the neurosciences, most of the research in this domain stay in line with psychological understanding of the addicting process.Finally, a hypothetical model of addiction in drugs and the most sensitive points concerning the therapeutic support are outlined.

Thesis (M.A. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), as defined by the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000), is a multifaceted mental illness characterized by pervasive instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect and behavior. Despite a growing consensus that the etiological basis of BPD stems from a combination of biological vulnerability and an early developmental history characterized by invalidation, abuse and/or neglect (e.g., Clarkin, Marziali, & Munroe-Blum, 1991; Linehan, 1993), the reasons for the diversity of troubling symptoms (e.g., self-injury, suicidality, mood reactivity, relationship difficulties) remain unclear. Psychopathology theorists differ in their conceptualization of the fundamental problems (e.g., impulsivity vs. identity disturbance vs. emotion dysregulation) underlying BPD and further research is needed to clarify which features are central to the maintenance of the difficulties associated with the disorder. In the current research, the some of the tenets of Linehan’s (1993) biosocial theory of BPD and the core constructs implicated in her conceptualization of the disorder were explored empirically in several samples of undergraduate university students. According to the biosocial theory, difficulties regulating emotions represent the core pathology in the disorder and contribute causally to the development and expression of all other BPD features. The emotional dysregulation is proposed to emerge from transactional interactions between individuals with biological vulnerabilities (i.e., a highly arousable temperament, sensitive to both positive and negative emotional stimuli) and specific environmental influences (i.e., a childhood environment that invalidates their emotional experience). The theory asserts that the dysregulation affects all aspects of emotional responding, resulting in (i) heightened emotional sensitivity, (ii) intense and more frequent responses to emotional stimuli, and (iii) slow return to emotional baseline. Furthermore, Linehan proposed that individuals with BPD lack clarity with respect to their emotions, have difficulties tolerating intense affect, and engage in maladaptive and inadequate emotion modulation strategies. As a result of their dysfunctional response patterns during emotionally challenging events , individuals with BPD fail to learn how to solve the problems contributing to these emotional reactions. In accordance with this theory, a number of hypotheses were tested. First, it was hypothesized that the interaction between temperamental sensitivity and an adverse childhood environment would predict BPD features over and above that predicted by either construct independently. Second, it was hypothesized that BPD traits would be predicted by high levels of emotional dysregulation (affect lability), problems across different aspects of emotional experience (e.g., intensity, awareness, clarity), and deficits in emotion regulation skills (e.g., poor distress tolerance, self-soothing). Based on the initial findings of the research, a series of competing hypotheses were tested that addressed the nature of the emotional, cognitive and motivational mechanisms that may underlie maladaptive behavior in BPD more directly. Prior to testing these hypotheses, it was important to select a set of measures that would best represent these constructs within an undergraduate population. The purpose of Studies 1a and 1b (N = 147 and N = 56, respectively) was to determine the reliability and validity of a series of self-report measures that assess BPD features and to select one questionnaire with high sensitivity (percentage of cases correctly identified) and high specificity (percentage of noncases correctly identified) as a screener for BPD within undergraduate students by comparing the results of the questionnaires against a “gold standard” criterion diagnosis of BPD (as assessed by two semi-structured interviews: DIB-R and IPDE-I). The second goal of these studies was to conduct a preliminary exploratory analysis of the association of scores on the BPD measures and constructs that have been hypothesized to be relevant to the development and maintenance of BPD symptoms (e.g., “Big Five” personality factors, emotional experience, impulsivity). Overall, the findings of Studies 1a and 1b indicated that screening for BPD in an undergraduate population is feasible and there are several questionnaires that may help in the identification of participants for future studies. Specifically, the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD; Zanarini et al., 2003), International Personality Disorder Examination DSM-IV Screening Questionnaire (IPDE-S; Loranger, 1999) and Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ; Poreh et al., 2006) were all found to be internally consistent and valid screening measures. Furthermore, the results of correlation and regression analyses between dimensions of the “Big Five” and scores on the BPD measures were consistent with previous findings in the literature that BPD is associated with higher scores on neuroticism, lower scores on agreeableness, and to a lesser degree, lower scores on conscientiousness and extraversion. The similarity in results between the current and past studies suggested that individuals in the present samples showed characteristics consistent with that seen in both clinical and nonclinical populations with BPD traits. The results also provided support for the notion that individuals with BPD have a lower threshold (i.e., greater sensitivity) for both sensory and affective stimuli, as well as higher amplitude of emotional response (i.e., greater reactivity) to such stimuli. Furthermore, the findings suggested that those with BPD traits may lack understanding of their emotional state, may be unable to effectively regulate their emotional state, and that their impulsive behavior may be driven by negative affect. The purpose of Study 2 (N = 225) was to test some of the specific tenets of Linehan’s (1993) biosocial theory. The results suggested that BPD traits are associated with numerous dimensions of temperament [e.g., higher levels of negative affect; lower levels of positive affect; lower levels of effortful control; low sensory threshold (i.e., greater sensitivity) for both sensory and affective stimuli; ease of excitation (i.e., greater reactivity to sensory and affective stimuli)] and childhood environment (e.g., authoritarian parenting style, invalidating parenting, neglect, abuse). An examination of the interactions between dimensions of temperament and childhood environment suggested that interactions between (i) ease of excitation (greater reactivity to sensory and affective stimuli) and environment and (ii) trait negative affect and environment, predicted BPD symptoms over and above the temperament and environment variables alone. The results also suggested that a number of other factors are associated with BPD symptoms, including: increased attention to (or absorption in) emotional states, poor emotional clarity, affect lability (particularly anger), poor distress tolerance, and negative urgency (impulsive behavior in the context of negative affect). The association between BPD symptoms and difficulties identifying feelings seemed to be mediated by affect lability and negative urgency. Self-soothing and self-attacking did not predict BPD traits over and above the other variables. Wagner and Linehan (1999) also proposed that the intense emotions (and emotional dysregulation) experienced by those with BPD interferes with cognitive functioning and effective problem solving, resulting in poor decisions and the observed harmful behaviors. Other researchers have suggested that the repetitive, self-damaging behavior occurring in the context of BPD may reflect impairments in planning and failure to consider future consequences (e.g., van Reekum et al., 1994). Proponents of this view suggest that individuals with BPD show greater intensity and lability in their emotional response to their environment because they are unable to inhibit or moderate their emotional urges (i.e., impulsivity is at the core of the disorder). The purpose of Study 3 (N = 220) was to characterize decision making in an undergraduate sample of individuals with BPD traits and to ascertain the relative contribution of individual differences in the following areas to any deficits identified in decision making: emotional experience (e.g., increased affective reactivity or lability); reinforcement sensitivity (e.g., sensitivity to reward and/or punishment); impulsivity; executive functioning (measured by an analogue version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test); and reversal learning. Decision making was assessed using modified versions of two Iowa Gambling Tasks (IGT-ABCD and IGT-EFGH; Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994; Bechara, Tranel, & Damasio, 2000) that included reversal learning components (i.e., Turnbull et al., 2006). The results of Study 3 showed that participants in the BPD group demonstrated deficits in decision-making as measured by the IGT-ABCD but not on the IGT-EFGH. The results [interpreted in the context of reinforcement sensitivity models, the somatic marker hypothesis (Damasio, 1994) and the “frequency of gain” model e.g., Chiu et al. 2008)] suggested that decision making under uncertainty may be guided by gain-loss frequency rather than long-term outcome for individuals with BPD traits. The results failed to show consistent associations between BPD symptoms and performance on either version of the IGT. Individual differences in emotional experience, executive functioning or reversal learning did not account for the decision-making problems of the BPD group on the IGT-ABCD.

Thèse numérisée par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Things develop quickly in today's internet-linked global economy and competition is intense. Speed, cost, and quality are no longer the trade-offs they once were. Today's consumers demand immediate access to high-quality products and services at a reasonable price. Thus, Managers are challenged to speed up the product creation and delivery cycle, while cutting costs and improving quality. Regardless of the size and purpose of the organisation and the technology involved, people are the common denominator when facing this immense challenge. Success or failure depends on the ability to attract, develop, retain, and motivate the employees. The human-resource employee is the drive behind all these voice-to-voice and face-to-face interactions, attempting to represent the emotions, attitudes, and behaviours required by the organisation. The objective of this research study was to determine the relationship between Emotion Work and Well-being among human-resource employees in the chrome industry. The research method consisted of a literature review and an empirical study. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the data. A non-probability convenience sample was taken from human-resource employees in the chrome industry. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Frankfurt Emotion Work Scales, Greek Emotional Intelligence Scale, Emotional Labour Scale, and Social Support Scale were used as measuring instruments. The data was analysed by making use of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, factor-analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses of variance (multivariate analysis of variance and ANOVA), calculated using SPSS. Compared to the the guidelines of a > 0,07 (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994), all of the scales of the measuring instruments have normal distributions except for Engagement where the kurtosis was positively skewed. Compared to the guidelines of a > 0,07 (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994), the Cronbach alpha coefficient of all the constructs is considered to be acceptable. A factor analysis confirmed four factors of Emotion Work, consisting of Emotional Dissonance, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions, the Display of Empathy, and the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. Emotional Intelligence also consists of four factors namely the Use of Emotion, Caring Empathy, the Control of Emotions, and Expression Recognition. Well- being consists of two factors namely Exhaustion and Engagement. Finally, Social Support consists of three factors Co-worker Support, Supervisor Support, and Family Support. An analysis of the data indicated that all of the correlations between the different constructs mentioned below are statistically and practically significant. The Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions and the Display of Empathy is positively related to Emotional Dissonance. The Display of Empathy is positively related to Emotional Dissonance as well as to the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions. The Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions is negatively related to the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions and the Display of Empathy. Exhaustion is negatively related to Engagement, the Use of Emotions, and the Control of Emotions. Engagement is positively related to Co-worker Support, the Use of Emotion as well as to the Control of Emotions. Family Support is positively related to both Supervisor Support and Co-worker Support. Supervisor Support is positively related to Co-worker Support. The Use of Emotion is positively related to Caring Empathy and the Control of Emotions. Caring Empathy is positively related to the Control of Emotions, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions, and the Display of Empathy, while it in turn is negatively correlated to the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. The Control of Emotions is negatively related to the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. Emotional Dissonance is positively related to both the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions and the Display of Empathy. Finally, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions is positively related to the Display of Empathy. In a multiple regression analysis with Emotional Dissonance as dependant variable and with demographic variables, as independent variable a statistically significant model was produced. More specifically, 11% of the variance predicted in Emotional Dissonance was explained by gender, age and ethnicity. In a multiple regression analysis indicated that Emotional Intelligence (specifically the Use of Emotion), Emotion Work (specifically Emotional Dissonance), and Social Support (specifically Co-worker Support) predicted 31% of the total variance in Engagement. Emotional Intelligence (specifically the Use of Emotion and the Control of Emotions), Emotion Work (specifically Emotional Dissonance and the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions), and Social Support (specifically Co-worker Support) predicted 43% of the total variance in Exhaustion A multivariate analysis of variance, which was used to determine differences between ethnic, age, and gender groups with regard to Emotion Work, indicated that participants in the African ethnic group experienced higher levels of Emotional Dissonance than participants in the White ethnic group. Female participants display higher levels of Emotional Dissonance, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions, and the Display of Empathy, while male participants experienced higher levels of the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. The age group of 42 to 51 experienced lower levels of Emotion Work owing to the experience of Emotional Dissonance, than participants in the age groups of 21 to 31, 32 to 41, and 52 to 66. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Things develop quickly in today's internet-linked global economy and competition is intense. Speed, cost, and quality are no longer the trade-offs they once were. Today's consumers demand immediate access to high-quality products and services at a reasonable price. Thus, Managers are challenged to speed up the product creation and delivery cycle, while cutting costs and improving quality. Regardless of the size and purpose of the organisation and the technology involved, people are the common denominator when facing this immense challenge. Success or failure depends on the ability to attract, develop, retain, and motivate the employees. The human-resource employee is the drive behind all these voice-to-voice and face-to-face interactions, attempting to represent the emotions, attitudes, and behaviours required by the organisation. The objective of this research study was to determine the relationship between Emotion Work and Well-being among human-resource employees in the chrome industry. The research method consisted of a literature review and an empirical study. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect the data. A non-probability convenience sample was taken from human-resource employees in the chrome industry. The Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Oldenburg Burnout Inventory, the Frankfurt Emotion Work Scales, Greek Emotional Intelligence Scale, Emotional Labour Scale, and Social Support Scale were used as measuring instruments. The data was analysed by making use of descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha coefficients, factor-analysis, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analyses of variance (multivariate analysis of variance and ANOVA), calculated using SPSS. Compared to the the guidelines of a > 0,07 (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994), all of the scales of the measuring instruments have normal distributions except for Engagement where the kurtosis was positively skewed. Compared to the guidelines of a > 0,07 (Nunnally & Bernstein, 1994), the Cronbach alpha coefficient of all the constructs is considered to be acceptable. A factor analysis confirmed four factors of Emotion Work, consisting of Emotional Dissonance, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions, the Display of Empathy, and the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. Emotional Intelligence also consists of four factors namely the Use of Emotion, Caring Empathy, the Control of Emotions, and Expression Recognition. Well- being consists of two factors namely Exhaustion and Engagement. Finally, Social Support consists of three factors Co-worker Support, Supervisor Support, and Family Support. An analysis of the data indicated that all of the correlations between the different constructs mentioned below are statistically and practically significant. The Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions and the Display of Empathy is positively related to Emotional Dissonance. The Display of Empathy is positively related to Emotional Dissonance as well as to the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions. The Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions is negatively related to the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions and the Display of Empathy. Exhaustion is negatively related to Engagement, the Use of Emotions, and the Control of Emotions. Engagement is positively related to Co-worker Support, the Use of Emotion as well as to the Control of Emotions. Family Support is positively related to both Supervisor Support and Co-worker Support. Supervisor Support is positively related to Co-worker Support. The Use of Emotion is positively related to Caring Empathy and the Control of Emotions. Caring Empathy is positively related to the Control of Emotions, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions, and the Display of Empathy, while it in turn is negatively correlated to the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. The Control of Emotions is negatively related to the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. Emotional Dissonance is positively related to both the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions and the Display of Empathy. Finally, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions is positively related to the Display of Empathy. In a multiple regression analysis with Emotional Dissonance as dependant variable and with demographic variables, as independent variable a statistically significant model was produced. More specifically, 11% of the variance predicted in Emotional Dissonance was explained by gender, age and ethnicity. In a multiple regression analysis indicated that Emotional Intelligence (specifically the Use of Emotion), Emotion Work (specifically Emotional Dissonance), and Social Support (specifically Co-worker Support) predicted 31% of the total variance in Engagement. Emotional Intelligence (specifically the Use of Emotion and the Control of Emotions), Emotion Work (specifically Emotional Dissonance and the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions), and Social Support (specifically Co-worker Support) predicted 43% of the total variance in Exhaustion A multivariate analysis of variance, which was used to determine differences between ethnic, age, and gender groups with regard to Emotion Work, indicated that participants in the African ethnic group experienced higher levels of Emotional Dissonance than participants in the White ethnic group. Female participants display higher levels of Emotional Dissonance, the Display of Positive/Pleasant Emotions, and the Display of Empathy, while male participants experienced higher levels of the Display of Negative/Unpleasant Emotions. The age group of 42 to 51 experienced lower levels of Emotion Work owing to the experience of Emotional Dissonance, than participants in the age groups of 21 to 31, 32 to 41, and 52 to 66. / Thesis (M.A. (Human Resource Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), as defined by the DSM-IV-TR (APA, 2000), is a multifaceted mental illness characterized by pervasive instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, affect and behavior. Despite a growing consensus that the etiological basis of BPD stems from a combination of biological vulnerability and an early developmental history characterized by invalidation, abuse and/or neglect (e.g., Clarkin, Marziali, & Munroe-Blum, 1991; Linehan, 1993), the reasons for the diversity of troubling symptoms (e.g., self-injury, suicidality, mood reactivity, relationship difficulties) remain unclear. Psychopathology theorists differ in their conceptualization of the fundamental problems (e.g., impulsivity vs. identity disturbance vs. emotion dysregulation) underlying BPD and further research is needed to clarify which features are central to the maintenance of the difficulties associated with the disorder. In the current research, the some of the tenets of Linehan’s (1993) biosocial theory of BPD and the core constructs implicated in her conceptualization of the disorder were explored empirically in several samples of undergraduate university students. According to the biosocial theory, difficulties regulating emotions represent the core pathology in the disorder and contribute causally to the development and expression of all other BPD features. The emotional dysregulation is proposed to emerge from transactional interactions between individuals with biological vulnerabilities (i.e., a highly arousable temperament, sensitive to both positive and negative emotional stimuli) and specific environmental influences (i.e., a childhood environment that invalidates their emotional experience). The theory asserts that the dysregulation affects all aspects of emotional responding, resulting in (i) heightened emotional sensitivity, (ii) intense and more frequent responses to emotional stimuli, and (iii) slow return to emotional baseline. Furthermore, Linehan proposed that individuals with BPD lack clarity with respect to their emotions, have difficulties tolerating intense affect, and engage in maladaptive and inadequate emotion modulation strategies. As a result of their dysfunctional response patterns during emotionally challenging events , individuals with BPD fail to learn how to solve the problems contributing to these emotional reactions. In accordance with this theory, a number of hypotheses were tested. First, it was hypothesized that the interaction between temperamental sensitivity and an adverse childhood environment would predict BPD features over and above that predicted by either construct independently. Second, it was hypothesized that BPD traits would be predicted by high levels of emotional dysregulation (affect lability), problems across different aspects of emotional experience (e.g., intensity, awareness, clarity), and deficits in emotion regulation skills (e.g., poor distress tolerance, self-soothing). Based on the initial findings of the research, a series of competing hypotheses were tested that addressed the nature of the emotional, cognitive and motivational mechanisms that may underlie maladaptive behavior in BPD more directly. Prior to testing these hypotheses, it was important to select a set of measures that would best represent these constructs within an undergraduate population. The purpose of Studies 1a and 1b (N = 147 and N = 56, respectively) was to determine the reliability and validity of a series of self-report measures that assess BPD features and to select one questionnaire with high sensitivity (percentage of cases correctly identified) and high specificity (percentage of noncases correctly identified) as a screener for BPD within undergraduate students by comparing the results of the questionnaires against a “gold standard” criterion diagnosis of BPD (as assessed by two semi-structured interviews: DIB-R and IPDE-I). The second goal of these studies was to conduct a preliminary exploratory analysis of the association of scores on the BPD measures and constructs that have been hypothesized to be relevant to the development and maintenance of BPD symptoms (e.g., “Big Five” personality factors, emotional experience, impulsivity). Overall, the findings of Studies 1a and 1b indicated that screening for BPD in an undergraduate population is feasible and there are several questionnaires that may help in the identification of participants for future studies. Specifically, the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder (MSI-BPD; Zanarini et al., 2003), International Personality Disorder Examination DSM-IV Screening Questionnaire (IPDE-S; Loranger, 1999) and Borderline Personality Questionnaire (BPQ; Poreh et al., 2006) were all found to be internally consistent and valid screening measures. Furthermore, the results of correlation and regression analyses between dimensions of the “Big Five” and scores on the BPD measures were consistent with previous findings in the literature that BPD is associated with higher scores on neuroticism, lower scores on agreeableness, and to a lesser degree, lower scores on conscientiousness and extraversion. The similarity in results between the current and past studies suggested that individuals in the present samples showed characteristics consistent with that seen in both clinical and nonclinical populations with BPD traits. The results also provided support for the notion that individuals with BPD have a lower threshold (i.e., greater sensitivity) for both sensory and affective stimuli, as well as higher amplitude of emotional response (i.e., greater reactivity) to such stimuli. Furthermore, the findings suggested that those with BPD traits may lack understanding of their emotional state, may be unable to effectively regulate their emotional state, and that their impulsive behavior may be driven by negative affect. The purpose of Study 2 (N = 225) was to test some of the specific tenets of Linehan’s (1993) biosocial theory. The results suggested that BPD traits are associated with numerous dimensions of temperament [e.g., higher levels of negative affect; lower levels of positive affect; lower levels of effortful control; low sensory threshold (i.e., greater sensitivity) for both sensory and affective stimuli; ease of excitation (i.e., greater reactivity to sensory and affective stimuli)] and childhood environment (e.g., authoritarian parenting style, invalidating parenting, neglect, abuse). An examination of the interactions between dimensions of temperament and childhood environment suggested that interactions between (i) ease of excitation (greater reactivity to sensory and affective stimuli) and environment and (ii) trait negative affect and environment, predicted BPD symptoms over and above the temperament and environment variables alone. The results also suggested that a number of other factors are associated with BPD symptoms, including: increased attention to (or absorption in) emotional states, poor emotional clarity, affect lability (particularly anger), poor distress tolerance, and negative urgency (impulsive behavior in the context of negative affect). The association between BPD symptoms and difficulties identifying feelings seemed to be mediated by affect lability and negative urgency. Self-soothing and self-attacking did not predict BPD traits over and above the other variables. Wagner and Linehan (1999) also proposed that the intense emotions (and emotional dysregulation) experienced by those with BPD interferes with cognitive functioning and effective problem solving, resulting in poor decisions and the observed harmful behaviors. Other researchers have suggested that the repetitive, self-damaging behavior occurring in the context of BPD may reflect impairments in planning and failure to consider future consequences (e.g., van Reekum et al., 1994). Proponents of this view suggest that individuals with BPD show greater intensity and lability in their emotional response to their environment because they are unable to inhibit or moderate their emotional urges (i.e., impulsivity is at the core of the disorder). The purpose of Study 3 (N = 220) was to characterize decision making in an undergraduate sample of individuals with BPD traits and to ascertain the relative contribution of individual differences in the following areas to any deficits identified in decision making: emotional experience (e.g., increased affective reactivity or lability); reinforcement sensitivity (e.g., sensitivity to reward and/or punishment); impulsivity; executive functioning (measured by an analogue version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test); and reversal learning. Decision making was assessed using modified versions of two Iowa Gambling Tasks (IGT-ABCD and IGT-EFGH; Bechara, Damasio, Damasio, & Anderson, 1994; Bechara, Tranel, & Damasio, 2000) that included reversal learning components (i.e., Turnbull et al., 2006). The results of Study 3 showed that participants in the BPD group demonstrated deficits in decision-making as measured by the IGT-ABCD but not on the IGT-EFGH. The results [interpreted in the context of reinforcement sensitivity models, the somatic marker hypothesis (Damasio, 1994) and the “frequency of gain” model e.g., Chiu et al. 2008)] suggested that decision making under uncertainty may be guided by gain-loss frequency rather than long-term outcome for individuals with BPD traits. The results failed to show consistent associations between BPD symptoms and performance on either version of the IGT. Individual differences in emotional experience, executive functioning or reversal learning did not account for the decision-making problems of the BPD group on the IGT-ABCD.