Transdiagnostic Study of Impulsivity and Self-Injurious Behaviour in Unstable and Impulsive Disorders
Keywords:
Eating disorders, Borderline personality disorder, Impulsivity, Sensitivity to interpersonal rejection, Self-injurious behaviourAbstract
Introduction. High comorbidity between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and eating disorders (ED) shows the necessity of developing transdiagnostic models, where impulsivity could play a relevant role in the manifestations of self-injurious behaviour. Objectives: 1) To compare the levels of impulsivity and self-injurious behaviour among people with BPD, people with ED and controls. 2) To predict the presence of self-injurious behaviour based on impulsivity and other relevant clinical variables, such as the experience of traumatic events and sensitivity to rejection.
Methods. 108 women (23 controls; 29 with a diagnosis of restrictive ACT (rED); 21 with a diagnosis of purgative ACT (pED); and 35 with a diagnosis of BPD) were assessed using the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, the Traumatic Experiences Questionnaire and the Sensitivity to Rejection Questionnaire.
Information about self-injurious behaviour was collected through interview and clinical history.
Results. Differences in impulsivity and self-injurious behaviour scores were found between the groups, with higher impulsivity in the BPD and pED groups, and higher rates of self-injurious behaviour in the BPD group followed by both ED groups. On the other hand, impulsivity predicted suicide attempts, and together with sensitivity to interpersonal rejection predicted nonsuicidal self-harm (NSSH).
Conclusion. Impulsivity is a dimensional variable in BPD and ED, which in turn plays a relevant role in the prediction of self-injurious behaviour.
