Psychotic symptoms in Borderline Personality Disorder V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of the relationship between early childhood experiences and the development of psychotic symptoms in borderline personality disorder (BPD)
IRAS ID
195153
Contact name
Janet Feigenbaum
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2016/02/72, UCL Data Protection Registration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
This is an exploratory study examining the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and the development of psychotic phenomena in individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Studies have shown that psychotic symptoms, such as paranoia, delusions or hallucinations, are relatively common in the general population and can be particularly common in individuals with BPD. These experiences can have a significant and distressing impact on an individual’s life however little is known about what causes some individuals with BPD to experience them whilst others do not. Therefore our understanding of how to support individuals with BPD having such experiences is relatively poor. Research within psychotic and general populations indicates that experiencing specific types of early life adversity may make an individual more likely to develop psychotic symptoms in later life. This study aims to explore these experiences in individuals with BPD, more specifically it aims to examine whether there is a link between specific types of childhood adversity and the development of these experiences within this population. To increase accessibility the study will primarily be internet-based. Participants will be invited to complete questionnaire measures (on demographic information, BPD symptoms, psychotic experiences, and childhood adversity) by accessing an online survey which stores the responses in an electronic patient outcome database (POD) system. Flyers advertising the study and survey webpage will be circulated to psychology and personality disorder departments at approved NHS sites; GP surgeries; national PD organisations; and through social media. This will enable recruitment in clinical and non-clinical populations providing a broader range of presentation severity. Recruitment will also be open to individuals without BPD. If a sufficient sample size is recruited,this data will be used as a non-BPD comparison sample. Additional recruitment options are also available for participants with a strong preference or need to complete measures by hand or with support.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0892
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion