Effortful Control (sometimes) Mediates between Borderline Symptoms and Vantage Perspective during Autobiographical Memory Retrieval

Recent findings show that (previously) depressed and traumatized patients, compared to controls, make more frequently use of an observer perspective (as set against a field perspective) when retrieving memories. Because patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) often report mood disturbances and past traumatic experiences, it would be plausible to expect that these patients too would retrieve higher proportions of observer memories. Therefore, and given the phenotypical variance of BPD, we examined whether vantage perspective during recall is associated with one or more BPD symptom clusters. In addition, we explored whether BPD symptoms and vantage perspective during retrieval are associated with Effortful Control (EC). A community sample consisting of 148 volunteers (66 males) completed the Autobiographical Memory Test, the EC Scale of the Adult Temperament Questionnaire, the Borderline Syndrome Index, and the Depression Scale of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Interpersonal BPD features were associated with higher proportions of observer memories. EC scales were negatively associated with the number of BPD symptoms that were reported. Furthermore, post-hoc analyses revealed that the EC scale activation control is a mediator between interpersonal BPD symptoms and vantage perspective during recall. However, results were not completely replicated in a second community sample of 120 participants. Results are discussed in the light of relevant theoretical frameworks and with respect to clinical practice.status: publishe