Different aspects of emotional intelligence of borderline personality disorder.
OBJECTIVES
The present study investigated deficiencies in different components of emotional intelligence in borderline personality disorder (BPD).


METHOD
The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) and the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) were used to assess EI dimensions. BPD patients (N = 85; 69 women; M = 33.6 years) were compared with Cluster C personality disorder (PD) patients (N = 39; 23 women; M = 36.6 years) and nonpatients (N = 69; 44 women; M = 35.6 years).


RESULTS
Compared to the Cluster C PD patients and the nonpatient group, BPD patients displayed only deficits in their ability to understand emotions as measured with the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test. The Emotional Quotient Inventory only revealed deficits in stress management in BPD patients compared to Cluster C PD patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that BPD patients have the ability to regulate emotions effectively, but they subjectively experience deficits in emotion regulation and therefore may not use this ability when they need it.
['Peter|Mathell|M|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6563-5176', 'Arntz|Arnoud R|AR|', 'Klimstra|Theo|T|', 'Vingerhoets|Ad J J M|AJJM|']
D000328:Adult D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder D056348:Emotional Intelligence D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
emotional intelligence borderline personality disorder emotion dysregulation general intelligence