In this article:
In this article, Peter, Arntz, Klimstra, and Vingerhoets (2018) report that previous studies in emotional intelligence (EI) in borderline personality disorder (BPD) have failed to incorporate various models of EI in exploring BPD.
Background of the Study:
Besides, they noted that studies involving BPD patients applied the ability model of EI only instead of using a mixed model of EI. These conclusions that the research on EI in borderline personality disorder is scarce formed the background of their study.
Study Hypotheses:
The primary hypothesis for the study was that BPD patients would portray impairments in the ability to construe and regulate emotions. The authors also expected the patients to show deficits in the level of interpersonal functioning and stress management. They further expected a negative connection between emotional intelligence and the severity of BPD by claiming that increased EI impairment results in higher BPD severity. Moreover, the authors anticipated a positive relationship between emotional intelligence and general intelligence.
Methodology:
Peter and his colleagues used a comparative design to explore the hypothesized relationships. In particular, they employed the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) and the Mayer-Salovery-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) to examine the aspects of EI and the differences therein. They used a study sample of 193 participants comprising of 16 males and 69 females (BPD patients), 16 males and 23 females (Cluster C personality disorder), and 25 males and 44 females (non-patients). The inclusion criteria for BPD and Cluster C personality disorder (PD) patients included patients awaiting outpatient treatment, while the exclusion criteria included organic disorders, mental retardation, bipolar disorder, dissociative identity disorder, as well as, chronic and acute psychotic disorders. The inclusion criterion for the non-patient sample was that they had to report good mental health with no past encounter with mental health care.
Study Results:
The results of the study revealed that BPD patients portrayed only deficits in their ability to construe emotions compared to the non-patients and Cluster C PD patients as measured with the MSCEIT. The study also found out that BPD patients had difficulties in stress management compared to Cluster C PD patients as measured by the EQ-I. The authors concluded that although BPD patients can regulate emotions more effectively, they encounter difficulties in regulating their emotions. Therefore, BPD patients may fail to regulate their emotions because the difficulties suppress their ability to do so.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Methodology:
From the methodology procedure, it is apparent that the authors adhered to ethical considerations for the research. In particular, they were justified to obtain written informed consent from all participants. Besides, the research was authorized by the Institute’s Medical Ethics Review Committee as required by the conventional research standards. Another key strength is that the authors used relatively large samples that covered children and adults. However, rather diverse samples including patients aged 60 years and older and from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds would provide more convincing and replicable results. A more in-depth analysis of the methodology reveals that the primary investigators failed to specify the sampling technique they used to select the participants. The inevitable implication of this weakness is that future research may not have a basis for selecting samples for replicating the findings of the study (Kashdan et al., 2018).
Discussion and Future Directions:
In light of the results, the key findings support some but not all the hypotheses developed for the research. The finding that BPD patients portrayed only deficits in the ability to regulate their emotions confirms only one part of the primary hypothesis. The major drawback of the study is that it only demonstrated difficulties in stress management but did not mention the patients’ experiences about interpersonal regulation. As Zanarini, Conkey, Temes, Fitzmaurice (2018) rightfully suggests, it is essential to focus on the measures of severity of BPD when exploring multiple factors so that the implications of the positive interactions can be applied in psychotherapy. Nevertheless, one can confidently support the use of measures of EI such as regulating emotions, construing emotions, perceiving emotions, and using emotions to regulate the thought process in exploring BPD. The premise for this position is that the severity of BPD cannot be understood without assessing these EI dimensions.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
From the conclusion, it is evident that BPD patients may have the ability to regulate their emotions yet they still experience deficits in emotional regulation. Whereas this conclusion appears to be true, it is does not establish a nexus between ability and deficits in emotional regulation. As Kashdan et al. (2018) argue, Peter and his counterparts could have considered the possible ways of addressing challenges such as affective symptoms, cognitive symptoms, interpersonal difficulties, and impulsivity since they form an integral part of the borderline psychopathology. By these borderline psychopathy dimensions, it could be understood that the deficits BPD patients experience play a critical role in improving both their ability to regulate emotions and success in regulating such emotions in different contexts (Zanarini et al., 2018). Based on this analysis, the findings of the study by Peter et al. (2018) should be replicated using larger samples and specific hypothesis. Additionally, using multiple hypothesis may need more illustrative techniques of presenting the findings such as graphs and charts. Another potential area of future exploration is how the emotional deficits influence emotional regulation and possible interventions for reducing BPD severity.
References
Kashdan, T. B., Blalock, D. V., Young, K. C., Machell, K. A., Monfort, S. S., McKnight, P. E., " Ferssizidis, P. (2018). Personality strengths in romantic relationships: Measuring perceptions of benefits and costs and their impact on personal and relational well-being. Psychological Assessment, 30(2), 241.
Peter, M., Arntz, A. R., Klimstra, T., " Vingerhoets, A. J. (2018). Different aspects of emotional intelligence of borderline personality disorder. Clinical Psychology " Psychotherapy, 25(1), e51-e59.
Zanarini, M. C., Conkey, L. C., Temes, C. M., " Fitzmaurice, G. M. (2018). Randomized Controlled Trial of Web-Based Psychoeducation for Women With Borderline Personality Disorder. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 79(3).
