Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
09:55
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Severity of interpersonal problems in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder
Elizabeth R Didie1, Elizabeth H Loerke, Sarah E Howes
1Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02903, USA. Elizabeth_Didie@brown.edu
Journal of Personality Disorders
|June 13, 2012
Summary
Individuals with Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) experience significant interpersonal difficulties, especially in social inhibition and assertiveness. These relationship problems are linked to BDD symptom severity and co-occurring personality disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) is a prevalent and severe condition.
- Psychosocial functioning is impaired in BDD, but interpersonal problems are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the severity, domains, and correlates of interpersonal problems in individuals with BDD.
- To compare interpersonal problems in BDD patients with general population norms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems-64 (IIP-64) and other validated measures.
- Assessed 51 individuals diagnosed with DSM-IV Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
- Employed logistic regression to identify predictors of interpersonal problem severity.
Main Results:
- BDD patients reported more severe interpersonal problems across most IIP-64 domains compared to community samples.
- Elevated scores were noted in Socially Inhibited and Nonassertive domains.
- BDD symptom severity and personality disorders independently predicted interpersonal problem severity.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with BDD face substantial interpersonal relationship challenges.
- Social inhibition and nonassertiveness are key areas of interpersonal difficulty in BDD.
- Interpersonal problems in BDD are associated with disorder severity and comorbid personality disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:25Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
Genetic and Environmental Contributions
Borderline Personality...
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:24Personality Disorders: Dependent and Obsessive-Compulsive
Dependent personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder are two separate psychological conditions that influence behavior, relationships, and overall life functioning. Though both involve maladaptive behaviors, their core characteristics and motivations differ significantly.
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...
Dependent Personality Disorder
Dependent personality disorder is characterized by an excessive reliance on others to manage various aspects of life. Individuals with this disorder often struggle with...