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Comparison of Attachment Styles in Borderline Personality Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

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Abstract

The intense, unstable interpersonal relationships characteristic of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) are thought to represent insecure attachment. The Reciprocal Attachment Questionnaire was used to compare the attachment styles of patients with BPD to the styles of patients with a contrasting personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD). The results showed that patients with BPD were more likely to exhibit angry withdrawal and compulsive care-seeking attachment patterns. Patients with BPD also scored higher on the dimensions of lack of availability of the attachment figure, feared loss of the attachment figure, lack of use of the attachment figure, and separation protest. The findings may be relevant for understanding the core interpersonal psychopathology of BPD and for managing therapeutic relationships with these patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY

    Cindy J. Aaronson M.S.W., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Personality Studies, Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY

    Donna S. Bender Ph.D. & Andrew E. Skodol M.D.

  3. Personality and Psychosocial Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA

    John G. Gunderson M.D.

  4. Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1230, New York, NY, 10029

    Cindy J. Aaronson M.S.W., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Cindy J. Aaronson M.S.W., Ph.D.
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  2. Donna S. Bender Ph.D.
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  3. Andrew E. Skodol M.D.
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  4. John G. Gunderson M.D.
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Correspondence to Cindy J. Aaronson M.S.W., Ph.D..

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Aaronson, C.J., Bender, D.S., Skodol, A.E. et al. Comparison of Attachment Styles in Borderline Personality Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. Psychiatr Q 77, 69–80 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-006-7962-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-006-7962-x

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