Five-factor trait instability in borderline relative to other personality disorders

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Personality Science
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with psychological and behavioral instability.
• Previous research indicated lower Five-Factor Model (FFM) trait stability in BPD individuals over 6 years.
• Trait variability may underlie the instability observed in BPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To replicate and extend previous findings on FFM trait stability in BPD.
• To examine trait stability over a 10-year period using different measures.
• To investigate the specificity of trait instability in BPD.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study design with a 10-year measurement period.
• Assessment of Five-Factor Model (FFM) personality traits.
• Comparison of trait stability in individuals with and without BPD.

Main Results:

• Replicated lower differential stability of conscientiousness in BPD.
• Observed greater mean-level decreases in neuroticism for BPD.
• Found lower individual-level stability for conscientiousness and ipsative trait profile configurations in BPD.
• Unlike prior studies, no significant differences in differential or individual-level neuroticism or mean-level conscientiousness were found.

Conclusions:

• The characteristic instability of BPD extends to stable personality traits.
• Instability in BPD manifests with specificity regarding affected traits and the nature of the instability.
• Findings underscore the dynamic nature of personality in BPD over time.