Karpman’s Drama Triangle is a social model where individuals can unintentionally transition from three different roles that influence their mental state and behavioral patterns. These roles include the victim, abuser, and rescuer. When it comes to childhood trauma and the prevalence of Borderline Personality Disorder, it is essential to note that it is an environmental factor. The consequences of such experiences allow for an increase in internal object relations, which affects a person’s personality. It is then that the Drama Triangle plays a role as an individual eventually takes on one of the three roles, and their thoughts and feelings are influenced uniquely.

Karpman’s Drama Triangle

Based on the Development-Based Trauma Framework, psychological trauma is classified into different types. Under Type I Trauma, such as a car accident, individuals can end up developing PTSD. For someone who experiences Type II and Type III Trauma, such as repeated sexual abuse or ongoing severe trauma, an individual can develop complex PTSD (cPTSD). cPTSD is an elaborate diagnosis within the ICD-II as it involves the main PTSD symptoms in addition to “disturbances in self-organization” or (DSO) symptoms. Individuals who have experienced childhood psychological trauma are more likely to be diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder due to having difficulty in being able to recognize and express their feelings. These difficulties can later be displayed through the violent and criminal behaviors that they engage in. 

Development-Based Trauma Framework

1. Sexual
2. Physical
3. Emotional
4. Neglect
5. Psychological

California Baptist University

Borderline Personality Disorder is a mental illness that is indicated by instability within interpersonal relationships and drastic emotional reactions to stimuli. Some of these reactions include aggression and self-inflicting actions. Aggression can take the form of criminal behaviors, seeing as people with BPD are unable to regulate their actions and impulses. Connections have then been made between childhood trauma and criminal behaviors based on the different effects on a person’s mental state. This is due to the way trauma plays a role in altering functioning within brain areas and responses to situations.

Neuropsychological Effects of Childhood Trauma in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder

Scognamiglio, C., Sorge, A., Borrelli, G., Perrella, R., & Saita, E. (2024, January 30). Exploring the connection between childhood trauma, dissociation, and borderline personality disorder in forensic psychiatry: A comprehensive case study. Frontiers. Psychol., 22 February 2024 Sec. Psychology for Clinical Settings. Volume 15 - 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1332914

References for Neuropsychological Effects of Childhood Trauma in Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder

Types of childhood trauma prevalent in BPD

A study of childhood trauma and dissociation analyzed borderline personality disorder and its connection to criminal behavior later exhibited as an adult. A young murder defendant who experienced multiple forms of traumatic events had undergone standardized assessments, and it was discovered that there was a high risk of recidivism for criminal behavior  and social dangerousness based on his dissociative state. This young man had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, where he exhibits a lack of self-control and violent behaviors during his attempts to self-regulate.  Based on his diagnosis, he is prone to have symptoms of dissociation, including loss of memory, experiences of depersonalization, and an obscure sense of reality. These dissociative states are traced back to traumatic events that occurred, as children would use this to self-regulate during stressful times. Further analysis of his symptoms, childhood, and assessment results indicate that he was not criminally responsible for the crime he committed, as his personality disorder deemed him incapable of understanding the severity of his actions. This suggests that there is a connection between borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma, as dissociative symptoms lead to aggression or criminal behavior.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After