The attachment styles, self-esteem and empathic tendencies of individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) according to the accompanying personality pathology groups

OBJECTIVE: In this study, it was aimed to compare the attachment styles, self-esteem and empathictendencies of individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) according to the accompanying personality pathology groups. METHODS: The study included 149 individuals diagnosed with BPD and received outpatient treatment, and a healthy control group consisting of 148 individual smatched for socio-demographic characteristics. SBD diagnoses were reviewed and accompanying personality pathologies were determined by applying the Structured Interview Form for Axis II Personality Disorders (SCID-II) to the subjects included in the study. In addition, socio-demographic Information Form, Experiences in Close Relationship Inventory (ECRQ-II), Empathic Tendency Scale, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) were applied. RESULTS: Based on the findings obtained in the study, it was found that the empathy, self-esteem and in secure attachment scores differed significantly according to the comorbidity of the clinical group. According to the findings, avoiding attachment scores were significantly higher in individuals with comorbid BPD and cluster A personality disorder. However, anxious attachment was significantly higher in th egroup with only BPD diagnosis. In addition, high scores corresponding to low self-esteem were found to be significantly higher only in the group diagnosed with BPD. Inaddition, statistically significant results were obtained in terms of the attachment styles, empathictendencyand self-esteemlevels of the clinical and non-clinical group. According to the findings, empathictendency scores of the non-clinical group were found to be significantly higher than the group diagnosed with SBD. In addition, self-esteem was significantly low in the clinical group; Anxious and avoidant attachment levels were found to be significantly higher compared to the non-clinical group. Inaddition, a positive and significant correlation was found between the self-esteem scores of the participants in the clinical group and the ECRQ-II avoidant attachment subscale scores. When the predictors of self-esteem scores of the clinical group were examined, it was found that being a woman, having substance use, and high levels of anxious attachment were variables that significantly predicted low self-esteem. CONCLUSION: In line with the findings obtained in the study, the self-esteem and empathic understanding levels of people diagnosed with BPD were lower than the healthy control group; Insecure attachment styles were found to be significantly higher. Considering the results, the possibility that a treatment that can be planned may benefit BPD. In addition, it is thought that research findings can be supported by further studies.