Borderline personality disorder and compulsive buying: A multivariate etiological model

Social media addiction and borderline personality disorder: a survey study

Background and aims

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and difficult to treat psychiatric condition characterized by affective and interpersonal instability, impulsivity, and self-image disturbances. Although the relationship between BPD and substance use disorders has been well-established, there has been considerably less research regarding behavioral addictions in this population. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of social media addiction (SMA) among individuals with BPD and to explore whether it is related to aspects of disorder symptomology.

Methods

300 adults completed an online survey via Prolific. Individuals completed the McLean Screening Instrument for BPD (MSI-BPD), along with the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS). Additionally, all participants reported how often they use social media for the following reasons: distraction from interpersonal problems, reassurance seeking, self-confidence issues, and anger/revenge.

Results

Of the 289 subjects that completed all measures, 38 (13.1%) screened positive for BPD. Individuals screening positive for BPD were more likely to meet criteria for SMA than controls, and they were more likely to report using social media for interpersonal distraction, reassurance seeking, self-confidence issues, and anger/revenge seeking than controls. Among individuals with BPD, SMA was positively associated with the frequency of each of these behaviors, except for anger/revenge seeking.

Discussion and conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that SMA is common among the BPD population and may be related to aspects of disorder symptomology. Whether SMA worsens BPD symptoms or whether addressing SMA could lead to improvements in the BPD remains to be seen and is an important area for future research.

Which conditions should be considered as disorders in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) designation of "other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors"?

BACKGROUND

Gambling and gaming disorders have been included as "disorders due to addictive behaviors" in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). Other problematic behaviors may be considered as "other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors (6C5Y)."

METHODS

Narrative review, experts' opinions.

RESULTS

We suggest the following meta-level criteria for considering potential addictive behaviors as fulfilling the category of "other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors":1. Clinical relevance: Empirical evidence from multiple scientific studies demonstrates that the specific potential addictive behavior is clinically relevant and individuals experience negative consequences and functional impairments in daily life due to the problematic and potentially addictive behavior.2. Theoretical embedding: Current theories and theoretical models belonging to the field of research on addictive behaviors describe and explain most appropriately the candidate phenomenon of a potential addictive behavior.3. Empirical evidence: Data based on self-reports, clinical interviews, surveys, behavioral experiments, and, if available, biological investigations (neural, physiological, genetic) suggest that psychological (and neurobiological) mechanisms involved in other addictive behaviors are also valid for the candidate phenomenon. Varying degrees of support for problematic forms of pornography use, buying and shopping, and use of social networks are available. These conditions may fit the category of "other specified disorders due to addictive behaviors".

CONCLUSION

It is important not to over-pathologize everyday-life behavior while concurrently not trivializing conditions that are of clinical importance and that deserve public health considerations. The proposed meta-level-criteria may help guide both research efforts and clinical practice.

Compulsive buying in Paris psychology students: Assessment of DSM-5 personality trait domains

Compulsive buying is associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity, such as personality disorders. Few studies have focused on the dimensional model of personality disorders in compulsive buying. We aimed to assess the eventual presence of personality dysfunctions in compulsive buying according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, 5th edition (DSM-5) dimensional conception of personality disorders. We screened online compulsive buying (QABB), characterized purchasing behavior and explored DSM-5 personality trait domains (Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Brief Form [PID-5-BF]) in 233 Paris psychology students using an online self-reporting questionnaire. The prevalence of compulsive buying among students was 7.7% (n = 18). The favorite items purchased by compulsive buyers were clothing and cosmetic products. Three mean trait domain scores were significantly higher for CB+ than CB- students: negative affect, detachment and disinhibition. Our findings suggest that compulsive buyers distinctively feature pathological DSM-5 dimensional personality trait domains.