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An object relations perspective on borderline personality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

F. E. Yeomans  and
K. N. Levy
F. E. Yeomans*
Affiliation:
The Weill Medical College of Cornell University
K. N. Levy
Affiliation:
City University of New York, USA
*
135 Central Park West #1-N, New York, NY 10023, USA. Tel: 212 877 2232; Fax: 212 475 2142; E-mail: FYeoman@nyc.rr.com
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Abstract

One of the principal formulations of borderline personality disorder is based on object relations theory, a component of psychoanalytic theory. To remain relevant, psychoanalytic formulations must find support from empirical research. After summarizing the object relations understanding of borderline personality, the authors review studies in biological neuroscience, developmental psychology and cognitive science related to the fundamental concepts of object relations theory as it aplies to borderline pathology. This review suggests that these empirical studies support psychoanalytic formulations originally derived from clinical practice and observation.

Keywords

borderlline personality disorderobject reaktions theorycognitive psychologyattachment theoryaggresions
Type
Research Article
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , April 2002 , pp. 76 - 80
Copyright
Copyright © Acta Neuropsychiatrica 2002

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