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The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Borderline Personality Symptomatology

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Abstract

The relationship between forgiveness and borderline personality symptomatology has been rarely studied. Using a consecutive cross-sectional sample of 307 internal medicine outpatients and a survey methodology, we examined correlations between the Forgiveness Scale and borderline personality symptomatology as measured by the borderline personality disorder scale of the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-4 and the Self-Harm Inventory. Numerous forgiveness subscales as well as the composite Forgiveness Scale score demonstrated statistically significant relationships with both measures for borderline personality symptomatology, such that individuals with this personality pathology demonstrated lower scores on these forgiveness subscales. Findings indicate that among individuals with borderline personality symptomatology, there are numerous aspects of forgiveness that are significantly lower than in individuals without this symptomatology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA

    Randy A. Sansone

  2. Department of Psychiatry Education, Kettering Medical Center, Kettering, OH, USA

    Randy A. Sansone

  3. Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA

    Amy R. Kelley

  4. Department of Sociology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA

    Jeremy S. Forbis

  5. Sycamore Primary Care Center, 2115 Leiter Road, Miamisburg, OH, 45342, USA

    Randy A. Sansone

Authors
  1. Randy A. Sansone
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  2. Amy R. Kelley
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  3. Jeremy S. Forbis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Randy A. Sansone.

Additional information

Dr. Sansone has published over 300 refereed articles, co-authored 36 book chapters, co-edited two books, and co-authored two books; His academic interests include borderline personality and eating disorders.

Ms. Kelley is presently completing medical school and seeking a residency position in psychiatry.

Dr. Forbis’ area of interest is population epidemiology.

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Sansone, R.A., Kelley, A.R. & Forbis, J.S. The Relationship Between Forgiveness and Borderline Personality Symptomatology. J Relig Health 52, 974–980 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9704-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-013-9704-3

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