Abstract
BackgroundPatients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) feel ostracized even when they are included. This might be due to a biased processing of social participation in BPD. We examined whether patients with BPD also process social overinclusion in a biased manner, i.e., whether they feel ostracized even when the degree of social participation is increased.MethodsAn EEG-compatible version of Cyberball was used to investigate the effects of inclusion and overinclusion (33% vs. 45% ball receipt) on perceived ostracism, need threat and P3 amplitude, an EEG indicator for expectancy violation. Twenty-nine patients with BPD, 28 patients with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and 28 healthy controls (HC) participated.ResultsThe P3 amplitude was enhanced for patients with BPD and SAD compared to HCs independent of condition. Both patient groups reported more perceived ostracism relative to HCs in the inclusion but not in the overinclusion condition. Only patients with BPD reported stronger need threat in both conditions.ConclusionsThe EEG results imply that being socially included violates the expectations of patients with BPD, irrespective of the actual degree of social participation. However, when overincluded, patients with BPD no longer feel ostracized. Except for need threat, patients with SAD might show a comparable bias in the processing of social participation as patients with BPD.
Highlights
Long-lasting interpersonal problems are a hallmark feature of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
Results of previous Cyberball studies indicated that patients with BPD process social inclusion in a biased manner: Compared to healthy controls (HCs), they estimated that the co-players tossed the ball less often to them than to the other player (Gutz et al, 2015; Renneberg et al, 2012; Staebler et al, 2011b), and they reported feeling more ostracized (Domsalla et al, 2014; Gutz et al, 2015)
Niedeggen et al (2014) showed that the P3 amplitude is enhanced when healthy participants are included compared to overincluded, indicating that overinclusion does not violate the expectations of HCs
Summary
Long-lasting interpersonal problems are a hallmark feature of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). An individual with BPD typically thinks, “I am unacceptable and others will abandon me” (Arntz, 2004; Renneberg et al, 2005) Due to this maladaptive schema and the associated processing bias, the individual may incorrectly interpret that he/she is being excluded from a group. Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) feel ostracized even when they are included This might be due to a biased processing of social participation in BPD. Results: The P3 amplitude was enhanced for patients with BPD and SAD compared to HCs independent of condition Both patient groups reported more perceived ostracism relative to HCs in the inclusion but not in the overinclusion condition. Except for need threat, patients with SAD might show a comparable bias in the processing of social participation as patients with BPD
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
