Specificity of autobiographical memory : a mediator in the relationship between interpersonal experience and functioning

This study sought to investigate whether three forms of Early Maladaptive Schema (EMS) and autobiographical memory specificity mediated the relationship between abuse and attachment in childhood with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) characteristics among forensic inpatients. The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional design. Thirty-four male adults residing in medium secure facilities completed self-report measures. Data was analysed using bootstrapped mediation procedures. The study’s hypotheses received partial support. The EMS of “mistrust/abuse”, “entitlement/grandiosity” and autobiographical memory specificity differentially mediated the relationship between emotional and physical abuse and neglect and parental care and overprotection with BPD characteristics. The study concluded that in line with attachment theory and the functional avoidance mechanism (Williams et al., 2007), the proposed mediators are conceptualised as adaptive responses to early adversity with potential maladaptive consequences for later interpersonal functioning. Clinical implications encourage the incorporation of these mediators into clinical formulation, intervention and ward practices. It is recommended that future research replicates the study’s design with a larger sample and investigates the role of other mediators and moderators in this complex relationship.