Investigating the role of executive attentional control to self-harm in a non-clinical cohort with borderline personality features

DRABBLE, Jennifer, BOWLES, David and BARKER, Lynne Ann (2014). Investigating the role of executive attentional control to self-harm in a non-clinical cohort with borderline personality features. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 8 (274). [Article]

Documents
8854:19190
[thumbnail of fnbeh-08-00274.pdf]
Preview
PDF
fnbeh-08-00274.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (509kB) | Preview
Abstract
Self-injurious behavior (or self-harm) is a frequently reported maladaptive behavior in the general population and a key feature of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Poor affect regulation is strongly linked to a propensity to self-harm, is a core component of BPD, and is linked with reduced attentional control abilities. The idea that attentional control difficulties may provide a link between BPD, negative affect and self-harm has yet to be established, however. The present study explored the putative relationship between levels of BPD features, three aspects of attentional/executive control, affect, and self-harm history in a sample of 340 non-clinical participants recruited online from self-harm forums and social networking sites. Analyses showed that self-reported levels of BPD features and attentional focusing predicted self-harm incidence, and high attentional focusing increased the likelihood of a prior self-harm history in those with high BPD features. Ability to shift attention was associated with a reduced likelihood of self-harm, suggesting that good attentional switching ability may provide a protective buffer against self-harm behavior for some individuals. These attentional control differences mediated the association between negative affect and self-harm, but the relationship between BPD and self-harm appears independent.
More Information
Statistics

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Metrics

Altmetric Badge

Dimensions Badge

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item