Sexual Orientation and Relationship Choice in Borderline Personality Disorder Over Ten Years of Prospective Follow-Up
[Published 2008 in the Journal of Personality Disorders, by D. Bradford Reich and Mary C. Zanarini] [Open access author manuscript here]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of homosexuality/ bisexuality and same-sex relationships in a sample of 362 hospitalized subjects, 290 with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and 72 comparison subjects with other personality disorders. At baseline and at five contiguous 2-year follow-up intervals, subjects meeting DIB-R and DSM-III-R criteria for BPD or at least one other personality disorder were interviewed using a semi-structured interview about their sexual orientation and the gender of intimate partners. Subjects with BPD were significantly more likely than comparison subjects to report homosexual or bisexual orientation and intimate same-sex relationships. There were no significant differences between male and female borderline subjects in prevalence of reported homosexual or bisexual orientation or in prevalence of reported same-sex relationships. Subjects with BPD were significantly more likely than comparison subjects to report changing the gender of intimate partners, but not sexual orientation, at some point during the follow-up period. A reported family history of homosexual or bisexual orientation was a significant predictor of an aggregate outcome variable assessing homosexual/bisexual orientation and/or same sex relationship in borderline subjects. Results of this study suggest that same-gender attraction and/or intimate relationship choice may be an important interpersonal issue for approximately one-third of both men and women with BPD.
D. Bradford Reich and Mary C. Zanarini (2008). Sexual Orientation and Relationship Choice in Borderline Personality Disorder Over Ten Years of Prospective Follow-Up. Journal of Personality Disorders: Vol. 22, No. 6, pp. 564-572. https://doi.org/10.1521/pedi.2008.22.6.564
Note from PDV!: For once I'd like some critical thinking from clinicians and academics about why it is that queer people might be more likely to be labelled disordered, especially with BPD/EUPD that is synonymous with many characteristics that are used to smear queer people.
Unfortunately, this study also supposes that CSA causes homosexuality instead of considering that queer kids are more isolated and alienated from their peers which makes them more vulnerable to abuse.
"This is consistent with clinical experience that some female borderline patients may identify themselves as homosexual or may choose female sexual partners because of histories of childhood abuse by men. In these cases, choice of sexual partner may have less to do with sexual attraction than with establishing an intimate relationship that provides a sense of safety."
Yuck.
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