Degree Date
5-2019
Document Type
Dissertation - Public Access
Degree Name
Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology
Academic Discipline
Clinical Psychology - Florida School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Christina Brown
Second Advisor
Dr. Eric Rosen
Third Advisor
N/A
Abstract
Current widely-accepted conceptualizations regarding borderline personality disorder (BPD) profess that trauma is not required in the etiology of BPD and place a significant focus on biological predispositions. This review sought to evaluate the current paradigms regarding BPD and examine whether trauma may be the most significant contributing factor in the development of BPD. Studies on developmental trauma (including psychological maltreatment) and attachment were examined. These studies appear to strongly support the idea that when disrupted attachment and psychological maltreatment are taken into consideration, trauma does appear to be both necessary and sufficient as primary etiological factors in the development of BPD. As such, a reconceptualization of BPD as a trauma disorder may be beneficial in both destigmatizing BPD and for more effective treatments.
Recommended Citation
Agnello, Chacy, "Necessary and Sufficient: Examining the Role of Attachment Trauma and Psychological Maltreatment as Primary Etiological Factors in the Development of Borderline Personality Disorder" (2019). Dissertations. 375.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/375