The critical role of affect regulation accounting for increased general distress, risk to self, and lower quality of life in females with EUPD and CPTSD, compared to EUPD alone

Morris, D.J.; Webb, E.L.; Umpunjun, P.; Fox, E.; Dickens, A.; Leson, A.; Sadler, E.; Lupattelli Gencarelli, B.; Taylor, V.; McAllister, P.; Karatzias, T.

Abstract

Background: Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) have shared aetiology and symptomatology, and are associated with multiple comorbidities and poor clinical outcomes. Evidence from studies with clinical populations indicates high levels of morbidity between the two diagnoses. Yet, the cumulative impact of coexisting CPTSD and EUPD diagnoses on levels of general distress, risk, quality of life and resulting treatment needs have not been explored. Accordingly, our understanding of the impact of experiencing both disorders and the relationship between coexisting trauma responses, and associated treatment needs remains limited.

Methodology: Using a convenience sample of 47 women admitted to a specialised DBT inpatient service, associations between general distress, risk, quality of life and diagnostic status were explored.
Results: Women with comorbid EUPD and CPTSD reported significantly higher levels of general distress and risk to self, and significantly lower quality of life compared to women with EUPD alone. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, when exploring the isolated effect of each symptom cluster, only affective dysregulation remained a significant predictor of distress, risk to self, and quality of life (all p<.05).

Conclusions: Although our results require further replication, the current study indicates that the experience of comorbid EUPD and CPTSD is impactful. Affect regulation may play a critical role in explaining comorbidity between EUPD and CPTSD. Accordingly, the current findings offer novel insights into the relationship between the two diagnoses, with clinical and theoretical consequences explored.

Citation

Morris, D., Webb, E., Umpunjun, P., Fox, E., Dickens, A., Leson, A., …Karatzias, T. (2024). The critical role of affect regulation accounting for increased general distress, risk to self, and lower quality of life in females with EUPD and CPTSD, compared to EUPD alone. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 8(1), Article 100374

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 10, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Dec 12, 2023
• Publication Date: 2024-03
• Deposit Date: Dec 14, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 13, 2024
• Journal: European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
• Electronic ISSN: 2468-7499
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 100374
• Keywords: Females, Complex PTSD, Personality disorder, General distress, Quality of life, Affect regulation, DBT
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3422529
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/european-journal-of-trauma-and-dissociation