Childhood Trauma and Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the Association between Types of Childhood Trauma and Levels of Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder.
IRAS ID
351204
Contact name
Cara O' Rourke
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
There's very little research focused on the cognitive processes involved in dissociation (a feeling of being disconnected from reality) in people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study aims to explore if there’s a link between levels of childhood trauma and different kinds of dissociation in people diagnosed with BPD. It will also look at whether certain types of childhood trauma are linked with certain types of dissociation in people with BPD.
To take part, people need to have an official BPD diagnosis, be between 18 and 65 years old, be able to give consent, read and write in English, and complete an online questionnaire.
Information about the study will be shared across several NHS sites via email, specifically, primary, and secondary care mental health services within NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust, and private service providers of mental health support in the identified trust areas. The study will also look for participants from the community by advertising on social media and other platforms. There are a number of questionnaires which participants will be asked to complete, including one asking about the severity of BPD symptoms, some asking about dissociative experiences and one asking about experiences of childhood trauma. Completing the questionnaires is expected to take around 10-15 minutesREC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0730
Date of REC Opinion
12 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion