Critical Article
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Critical Article
The article, “Too Much Too Soon?: Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms and Romantic Relationships in Adolescent Girls,” investigates the interdependency between romantic relationships among the adolescents and borderline personality disorder. The research develops from previous studies, which had confirmed a close relationship in those variables. In determining the development, the researchers investigated the impact of borderline personality disorder on the romantic relationship of girls of ages between 15 and 19 years (Lazarus et al., 2019). The outcome of the investigations confirmed that BPD symptoms were linked with an increased connection in romantic affairs and amplified relational uncertainty across adolescence. The increase in antagonism and verbal aggression, among other features, was significantly influenced by higher BPD signs and symptoms right from the age of 15 years to 19 years. The study also confirmed that BPD symptoms harmed early romantic relationship involvement by adolescents. Overall, the outcome demonstrated that the romantic relationship functioning and BPD reflected a common effect, and suggested the prevention measures that should apply to the vulnerable adolescents, more so those with borderline personality disorders.
Summary
The study sought to determine how borderline personality disorder symptoms influence the romantic relationship in adolescent girls. The research improved the common understanding of the link between prompt BPD symptoms and the BPD-related romantic relationship susceptibilities. The study further sought to compare the relationships between the BPD symptoms trajectories and romantic relationship features such as sustenance, verbal aggression, physical hostility, and antipathy. The initial stage involved reviewing the centrality of a romantic relationship to BPD and the significance of conducting the study by targeting the adolescence period rather than during adulthood. Previous studies conducted to determine the relationship of these variables relied on adult samples. The outcomes documented a close relationship between BPD symptom and relationship dysfunction (Lazarus et al., 2019). Within adult romantic associations, BPD symptoms were believed to negatively influence the romantic partners’ emotional response patterns, with other features witnessed in such relationships, such as aggression and hatred. The rejection and untrustworthiness sentiments were also noted among the outcomes of relationships apparent among individuals exhibiting BPD symptoms.
Researchers hypothesized that adolescents with BPD symptoms would exhibit negative relationship characteristics and that the situation would exacerbate ver four years, set aside for the study. It has projected that youths with higher BPD symptoms would engage in early romantic relationships depicted by high-intensity levels, marred with conflicting and support aspects. The study sample involved the girls’ cohorts totaling to 2310 (N=2310) of ages between 15 and 19years. The study environment was Pittsburgh Girls. The study variables were self-reported by the participants, who included the minority and white races. The screening questionnaire (IPDE-BOR) was administered to the girls annually to determine the BPD symptoms. The instrument comprised scores ranging from 1.0 to 9.0, with a score of more than 4.0, indicating that one had BPD symptoms. The relational Insecurity Questionnaire (RIQ), which comprised scaling from 1 to 4, was used to determine the relational security variable (Lazarus et al., 2019). The perceptions of support and antagonism were tested using the Network of Relationship Inventory (NRI), while verbal aggression was determined by a Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS).
The outcomes showed that BPD symptoms were closely linked with increased involvement in romantic affairs and heightened interactive anxiety during the adolescent periods. The study further determined that the increase in aggression and antagonism was prevalent among 15-year adolescents with BPD symptoms. However, the impact variation was insignificant since the effect was evenly distributed across ages 15 to 19 (Lazarus et al., 2019). The findings validated the hypothesis and other previous studies, which investigated the relationship between the two variables, focusing on the adult samples. Overall, they determined the reciprocal aspect between the BPD symptoms and the romantic relationships among adult girls. It concluded that the relationship was negative and caused more conflicts other than the support-oriented outcomes.
Critique
Literature Review
Given the literature, the cited sources are pertinent to the study because they seem to address the same purpose as one intended in the current research. Most sources referenced in this section address the variables that are instrumental in the study. For instance, some investigate the relationship between BPD and romantic relationships in adults, elaborating on why the period of adolescence was utilized in this study and scrutinizing the impact of the investigated (Lazarus et al., 2019). They are utilized to develop the problem statement, thereby discovering the approach to the current study.
The review is not either broad or narrow but addresses the specific requirements of the study. The variables investigated seem to be more but are relevant and in line with the research objective. They all target to address the impact of BPD in a romantic relationship involving adults. One weakness, though, is that the references used are old and cannot be reliable and practical regarding making inferences. Nonetheless, their content is reliable and substantial since it evades biasness and adheres to efficient and reliable study approaches.
Design and Procedures
The research utilized a hybrid approach whereby non-quantifiable information was collected from a cohort of girls with PBD symptoms who reported their relationship status. The study seems original but utilized the criteria employed in one of the studies that appeared in the literature review section. The measurement tools utilized included the questionnaire and scales designed specifically for particular variables. The scales utilized were reliable and efficient in collecting data used for analysis and result determination since they have been approved in previous studies.
The procedures were structured efficiently, starting from the sample description, where the participants and variables were briefly accounted for in the study. The structuring followed a systematic approach that relied on variables, starting with describing the BPD symptoms and an independent variable. It then was the investigation of the independent variables. The independent variables include the romantic relationship involvement, rational security, romantic partner support, and antagonism perceptions.
The arrangement was systematic and easy to follow. The sampling was conducted in two phases, with the initial one gathered the data of 2450, and the targeted age range was between 5 and 8. The second sampling was taken on the same samples, but when they were of ages 15 to 19, they were able to engage in dating relationships (Lazarus et al., 2019). The final sample for the analysis was 2310 and comprised the mixing of both the minorities and whites. The approach was clear and apparent and was not biased. It could, therefore, make it easy to follow.
Data analysis and Presentation
Data were analyzed using the latent growth curve model. It was used because it was the most ideal in examining trajectories of the BPD symptoms and relationship features in adolescent girls. The researchers then utilized the Mplus 7.4 to estimate the model, alongside the χ2 goodness of fit test, and other models such as the CFI, and TLI, alongside the RMSEA (Lazarus et al., 2019). The collected data was quantitative since it featured in tables and graphs, accompanied by computations. The findings demonstrated that adolescents with PBD symptoms associated with decreased support increase in antagonism, verbal, and physical aggression over four years. The outcome proved to support the hypothesis and purpose since they indicated it was projected before the study.
Conclusions and Implications
Overall, the conclusions arrived at in this study relate closely to the original research purpose. The outcome demonstrated the existing relationship between PBD symptoms and the romantic relationships formed during the adolescence period. The study covered the implications, with suggestions on overcoming the crisis accounted for in the study. The results and conclusions would affect the youths in adolescent age, the counselors, parents, and society. The findings exhibited the negative relationship between BPD symptoms and romantic relationships during the adolescent age, highlighting the significance of counseling the relationship uncertainties related to BPD long before adulthood. It further suggested the need to engage youths in psych education regarding a romantic relationship, including the determination of healthy communication and boundaries.
Overall Assessment
In my opinion, the study is efficient since it meets the objective and purpose. The study approaches utilized articulate and reliable in determining the outcome. The method utilized is a good way to test the hypothesis since it adheres to the steps required to achieve that mission. The variables are well-chosen, thus complementing the hypothetical suggestions and align with the study questions. The study would rely on only qualitative analysis since collecting information about relationships is non-quantifiable. The study answers the romantic relationships at adolescent stages of development, more so on youths with BPD symptoms. The study focuses more on girls but fails to include two boys sample, which is the major gap yet to be addressed.
Reference
Lazarus, S. A., Choukas-Bradley, S., Beeney, J. E., Byrd, A. L., Vine, V., & Stepp, S. D. (2019). Too much too soon?: Borderline personality disorder symptoms and romantic relationships in adolescent girls. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 47(12), 1995-2005.