Project title: Social Cognition in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Project team: Claus Lamm and Ekaterina Pronizius

In collaboration with:

• Patrick Luyten (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgien)
• Celine De Meulemeester (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgien)
• Henryk Bukowski (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgien)

Department: Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology

What is the project about, what is its central question?

Recent theoretical models suggest that in BPD, the capacity to differentiate between self- and other-related mental states is impaired. This interdisciplinary research project examines this hypothesis and explores the neural correlates that may underlie the impairment.

Why is this project important, how does it add social value?

This project advances the understanding of social cognition in BPD. Insights gained from the integration of experimental, diary, and neuroimaging approaches will inform the development of targeted interventions aimed at fostering healthier relationships, reducing stigma, and enhancing social integration for individuals with BPD.

Abstract:

Interpersonal difficulties are a core feature of BPD. Recent findings suggest that the ability to distinguish between self- and other-related mental states may be particularly impaired – a process referred to as self-other distinction (SOD). This project integrates multicenter experimental, diary, and neuroimaging studies to investigate the potential causes of SOD deficits in BPD. Particular emphasis will be placed on examining the role of stress, both in laboratory settings and in daily life, and on brain structure and activation patterns observed in individuals with BPD and healthy controls while performing SOD tasks. The project seeks to validate theoretical models of SOD in the context of BPD and, in doing so, to support the development of more precise and effective treatment approaches.

Explanation in plain language/easy to understand:

People with borderline personality disorder often find it hard to separate their own feelings and thoughts from those of others, especially in stressful situations. This can cause misunderstandings and strained relationships. Our project will study this problem using experiments, daily diaries, and brain scans in both laboratory and real-life settings. In particular, we want to find out how borderline personality disorder affects the brain. This knowledge will guide the development of more effective therapies, helping people with borderline personality disorder improve their relationships and quality of life.

For German version, see [LINK]