Anger and Emotion Regulation Associated With Borderline and Antisocial Personality Features Within a Correctional...

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are diagnostically distinct but share features like anger and emotion dysregulation.
• The differential expression and experience of these shared features between ASPD and BPD remain unclear.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for targeted interventions in forensic populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the independent associations of anger expression and emotion dysregulation with features of ASPD and BPD.
• To investigate how these psychological constructs manifest differently in incarcerated males.
• To clarify the unique clinical challenges posed by BPD in a forensic context.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 30 incarcerated males was recruited from a county jail.
• Participants completed self-report measures assessing features of BPD and ASPD.
• Measures also evaluated emotion dysregulation and various forms of anger expression.

Main Results:

• Anger expression and emotion dysregulation were significantly associated with BPD features, even when controlling for ASPD.
• Difficulties in engaging in goal-directed behavior were significantly associated with ASPD features, independent of BPD.
• These findings suggest distinct psychological profiles for ASPD and BPD within this incarcerated sample.

Conclusions:

• Borderline personality disorder (BPD) may present unique clinical challenges within incarcerated populations due to specific patterns of anger and emotion dysregulation.
• Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is associated with difficulties in goal-directed behavior.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay of personality disorders and their associated features in forensic settings.