Parsing sensitivity to negative affect in borderline personality disorder: A comparison of anxiety and disgust

Difficulty tolerating emotional distress is a core feature in theoretical accounts of borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, few studies have attempted to parse emotional sensitivity in BPD in terms of specific qualities of negative affect. The present study compares the incremental validity of anxiety sensitivity (AS) and disgust sensitivity (DS) in predicting concurrent symptoms of BPD. Prior to receiving treatment, patients at a partial hospital (n = 134) completed measures of AS and DS in addition to a larger survey battery and clinical interview. This study found that AS, but not DS, was correlated with BPD symptoms, and AS continued to predict concurrent BPD symptoms when controlling for demographic variables, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and experiential avoidance. However, the relationship between AS and BPD symptoms was partially mediated by experiential avoidance, consistent with prior research using a categorical approach to BPD symptoms. The AS domain of cognitive concerns was most robustly related to BPD symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between specific negative affects when conceptualizing emotional sensitivity in BPD and may suggest new avenues for treatment through targeting specific sensitivities.