Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health 3/2013

01-09-2013 | Original Paper

The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Borderline Personality Symptomatology

Authors: Randy A. Sansone, Amy R. Kelley, Jeremy S. Forbis

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 3/2013

Login to get access

Abstract

The relationship between forgiveness and borderline personality symptomatology has been rarely studied. Using a consecutive cross-sectional sample of 307 internal medicine outpatients and a survey methodology, we examined correlations between the Forgiveness Scale and borderline personality symptomatology as measured by the borderline personality disorder scale of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 and the Self-Harm Inventory. Numerous forgiveness subscales as well as the composite Forgiveness Scale score demonstrated statistically significant relationships with both measures for borderline personality symptomatology, such that individuals with this personality pathology demonstrated lower scores on these forgiveness subscales. Findings indicate that among individuals with borderline personality symptomatology, there are numerous aspects of forgiveness that are significantly lower than in individuals without this symptomatology.
Literature
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
go back to reference Avery, C. M. (2008). The relationship between self-forgiveness and health: Mediating variables and implications for well-being. Dissertation Abstracts International, 69, 1939B. Avery, C. M. (2008). The relationship between self-forgiveness and health: Mediating variables and implications for well-being. Dissertation Abstracts International, 69, 1939B.
go back to reference Ball, V. (2010). Forgiveness and adjustment in women who have experienced trauma. Dissertation Abstracts International, 70, 5805B. Ball, V. (2010). Forgiveness and adjustment in women who have experienced trauma. Dissertation Abstracts International, 70, 5805B.
go back to reference Brown, R. P., & Phillips, A. (2005). Letting bygones be bygones: Further evidence for the validity of the Tendency to Forgive Scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 627–638.CrossRef Brown, R. P., & Phillips, A. (2005). Letting bygones be bygones: Further evidence for the validity of the Tendency to Forgive Scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 38, 627–638.CrossRef
go back to reference Connor, K. M., Davidson, J. R. T., & Lee, L.-C. (2003). Spirituality, resilience, and anger in survivors of violent trauma: A community survey. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16, 487–494.PubMedCrossRef Connor, K. M., Davidson, J. R. T., & Lee, L.-C. (2003). Spirituality, resilience, and anger in survivors of violent trauma: A community survey. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 16, 487–494.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Copeland, K. A. (2007). Sexual trauma, forgiveness, and health. Dissertation Abstracts International, 68, 4126B. Copeland, K. A. (2007). Sexual trauma, forgiveness, and health. Dissertation Abstracts International, 68, 4126B.
go back to reference Desjarlais, V. W. (2005). Forgiveness, affect and life situation among community-dwelling rural elders: A correlational study. Dissertation Abstracts International, 66, 614B. Desjarlais, V. W. (2005). Forgiveness, affect and life situation among community-dwelling rural elders: A correlational study. Dissertation Abstracts International, 66, 614B.
go back to reference Dubro, A. F., Wetzler, S., & Kahn, M. W. (1988). A comparison of three self-report questionnaires for the diagnosis of DSM-III personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders, 2, 256–266.CrossRef Dubro, A. F., Wetzler, S., & Kahn, M. W. (1988). A comparison of three self-report questionnaires for the diagnosis of DSM-III personality disorders. Journal of Personality Disorders, 2, 256–266.CrossRef
go back to reference Faison, M. W. (2007). The relationship of forgiveness to psychological resilience and health among African American women. Dissertation Abstracts International, 68, 1552B. Faison, M. W. (2007). The relationship of forgiveness to psychological resilience and health among African American women. Dissertation Abstracts International, 68, 1552B.
go back to reference Holm, A. L., Berg, A., & Severinsson, E. (2009). Longing for reconciliation: A challenge for women with borderline personality disorder. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30, 560–568.PubMedCrossRef Holm, A. L., Berg, A., & Severinsson, E. (2009). Longing for reconciliation: A challenge for women with borderline personality disorder. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 30, 560–568.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Hyler, S. E. (1994). Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4. New York: Author. Hyler, S. E. (1994). Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4. New York: Author.
go back to reference Hyler, S. E., Lyons, M., Rieder, R. O., Young, L., Williams, J. B. W., & Spitzer, R. L. (1990). The factor structure of self-report DSM-III Axis II symptoms and their relationship to clinicians’ ratings. American Journal Psychiatry, 147, 751–757. Hyler, S. E., Lyons, M., Rieder, R. O., Young, L., Williams, J. B. W., & Spitzer, R. L. (1990). The factor structure of self-report DSM-III Axis II symptoms and their relationship to clinicians’ ratings. American Journal Psychiatry, 147, 751–757.
go back to reference Johnson, J. G., & Bornstein, R. F. (1992). Utility of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised in a nonclinical population. Journal of Personality Disorders, 6, 450–457.CrossRef Johnson, J. G., & Bornstein, R. F. (1992). Utility of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised in a nonclinical population. Journal of Personality Disorders, 6, 450–457.CrossRef
go back to reference Johnstone, B., & Yoon, D. P. (2009). Relationships between the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality and health outcomes for a heterogeneous rehabilitation population. Rehabilitation Psychology, 54, 422–431.PubMedCrossRef Johnstone, B., & Yoon, D. P. (2009). Relationships between the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality and health outcomes for a heterogeneous rehabilitation population. Rehabilitation Psychology, 54, 422–431.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Kolb, J. E., & Gunderson, J. G. (1980). Diagnosing borderlines with a semi-structured interview. Archives of General Psychiatry, 37, 37–41.PubMedCrossRef Kolb, J. E., & Gunderson, J. G. (1980). Diagnosing borderlines with a semi-structured interview. Archives of General Psychiatry, 37, 37–41.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Miller, A. J., & Worthington, E. L. (2010). Sex differences in forgiveness and mental health in recently married couples. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5, 12–23.CrossRef Miller, A. J., & Worthington, E. L. (2010). Sex differences in forgiveness and mental health in recently married couples. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5, 12–23.CrossRef
go back to reference Nelson-Pechota, M. (2004). Spirituality in support-seeking Vietnam veterans: Guilt, forgiveness, and other correlates of long term adjustment to combat-related trauma. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64, 6337B. Nelson-Pechota, M. (2004). Spirituality in support-seeking Vietnam veterans: Guilt, forgiveness, and other correlates of long term adjustment to combat-related trauma. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64, 6337B.
go back to reference Patrick, J., Links, P., Van Reekum, R., & Mitton, M. J. E. (1995). Using the PDQ-R BPD scale as a brief screening measure in the differential diagnosis of personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders, 9, 266–274.CrossRef Patrick, J., Links, P., Van Reekum, R., & Mitton, M. J. E. (1995). Using the PDQ-R BPD scale as a brief screening measure in the differential diagnosis of personality disorder. Journal of Personality Disorders, 9, 266–274.CrossRef
go back to reference Plante, T. G. (2009). Spiritual practices in psychotherapy: Thirteen tools for enhancing psychological health. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRef Plante, T. G. (2009). Spiritual practices in psychotherapy: Thirteen tools for enhancing psychological health. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.CrossRef
go back to reference Pope, S. K., Beck, C., Shue, V. M., & Cook, S. C. (2003). The role of religion and forgiveness in the mental health of Arkansans attending senior citizens’ centers. Marriage and Family: A Christian Journal, 6, 113–122. Pope, S. K., Beck, C., Shue, V. M., & Cook, S. C. (2003). The role of religion and forgiveness in the mental health of Arkansans attending senior citizens’ centers. Marriage and Family: A Christian Journal, 6, 113–122.
go back to reference Rippentrop, A. E. (2004). The relationship between religiosity/spirituality and health outcomes in a chronic pain population. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64, 3539B. Rippentrop, A. E. (2004). The relationship between religiosity/spirituality and health outcomes in a chronic pain population. Dissertation Abstracts International, 64, 3539B.
go back to reference Rye, M. S., Folck, C. D., Heim, T. A., Olszewski, B. T., & Traina, E. (2004). Forgiveness of an ex-spouse: How does it related to mental health following a divorce? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 41, 31–51.CrossRef Rye, M. S., Folck, C. D., Heim, T. A., Olszewski, B. T., & Traina, E. (2004). Forgiveness of an ex-spouse: How does it related to mental health following a divorce? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 41, 31–51.CrossRef
go back to reference Sansone, R. A., Wiederman, M. W., & Sansone, L. A. (1998). The Self-Harm Inventory (SHI): Development of a scale for identifying self-destructive behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 54, 973–983.PubMedCrossRef Sansone, R. A., Wiederman, M. W., & Sansone, L. A. (1998). The Self-Harm Inventory (SHI): Development of a scale for identifying self-destructive behaviors and borderline personality disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 54, 973–983.PubMedCrossRef
go back to reference Stammel, N., & Knaevelsrud, D. (2009). Forgiveness and mental health after traumatic experiences. Trauma and Gewalt, 3, 34–41. Stammel, N., & Knaevelsrud, D. (2009). Forgiveness and mental health after traumatic experiences. Trauma and Gewalt, 3, 34–41.
go back to reference Toussaint, L., & Jorgensen, K. M. (2008). Inter-parental conflict, parent-child relationship quality, and adjustment in Christian adolescents: Forgiveness as a mediating variable. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 27, 337–346. Toussaint, L., & Jorgensen, K. M. (2008). Inter-parental conflict, parent-child relationship quality, and adjustment in Christian adolescents: Forgiveness as a mediating variable. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 27, 337–346.
go back to reference Tseng, W.-C. (2008). Resilience in life events, interpersonal strength, and mental health among college students: An examination of mediation and moderation effects. Bulletin of Educational Psychology, 40, 239–259. Tseng, W.-C. (2008). Resilience in life events, interpersonal strength, and mental health among college students: An examination of mediation and moderation effects. Bulletin of Educational Psychology, 40, 239–259.
go back to reference Van Dyke, C. J., & Elias, M. J. (2007). How forgiveness, purpose, and religiosity are related to the mental health of well-being of youth: A review of the literature. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 10, 395–415.CrossRef Van Dyke, C. J., & Elias, M. J. (2007). How forgiveness, purpose, and religiosity are related to the mental health of well-being of youth: A review of the literature. Mental Health, Religion and Culture, 10, 395–415.CrossRef
go back to reference Webb, J. R., Robinson, E. A. R., & Brower, K. J. (2009). Forgiveness and mental health among people entering outpatient treatment with alcohol problems. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 27, 368–388.CrossRef Webb, J. R., Robinson, E. A. R., & Brower, K. J. (2009). Forgiveness and mental health among people entering outpatient treatment with alcohol problems. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 27, 368–388.CrossRef
Metadata
Title
The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Borderline Personality Symptomatology
Authors
Randy A. Sansone
Amy R. Kelley
Jeremy S. Forbis
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 3/2013
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9704-3

Other articles of this Issue 3/2013

Journal of Religion and Health 3/2013 Go to the issue

Editorial

Editorial