A STUDY ON NARCISSISM AND EGO IMPAIRMENT INDICATORS IN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY ORGANIZATION

ABSTRACT

The concept of ‘Borderline Personality Organisation’ was introduced by Otto Kernberg (1975) to refer to a broad spectrum of psychopathology. The proposed classification divides patients into three categories Borderline (BPO), Neurotic (NPO) and Psychotic (PPO) personality organizations on the basis of certain underlying structural characteristics namely the degree of identity integration, the level of defensive operations and the capacity for reality testing. Aims : to assess the diagnostic indicators to differentiate between NPO, BPO and PPO (after Kernberg). Methodology: The present study was a hospital based cross-sectional study using purposive sampling with total sample of 120 individuals with NPO (n1=30), BPO (n2=30), PPO (n3=30) and Normal control (n4=30). Narcissistic Personality Inventory (Raskin& Hall, 1979). The extent of impairment of ego (EII-3) were assessed using Rorschach Inkblot Test and scored using Exner’s Comprehensive System. One way analyses of Variance with Post Hoc analyses of Tukey HSD were done. Results & Conclusion: Psychotic group had maximum ego impairment and problems in reality testing; they also were higher in the domains of authority and superiority as compared to the other two groups. These groups of patients are often difficult to differentiate from an assessment perspective; hence, the current results would help clinicians with certain checking criteria that would provide them their best suited treatment.