Sexuality and personality PDF

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The class was about sexuality and it was very interesting. The paper has all the details as requested in class....

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Running head: SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY

The correlation between borderline personality disorder and sexual masochism in women Name Institution

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY

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Contents Background and definition..........................................................................................................................3 Literature review.........................................................................................................................................4 Aims, objectives, and significance of the study...........................................................................................6 Methods.......................................................................................................................................................6 Proposed procedures and actions.................................................................................................................7 Planned analysis..........................................................................................................................................8 References...................................................................................................................................................9

SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY

Background and definition Intense feelings of loneliness and fear in the modern mass societies have terrified human beings, and some seek to escape their isolation from having control over other people or allowing them to exert control especially sexually. Fromm argues that sadistic and masochistic personality structure may arise in a high number of individuals in protection against contemporary society failure to offer them a sense of belonging. The development of urban life resulted to individual freedoms which can lead to loneliness as compared to the guaranteed securities and close-knit of the pre-modern society. The postindustrial individual was and is still expected to be self-sufficient and independent and thus belittled by feelings of powerlessness, insignificance, and anonymity and consequently, a need for other people has become paradoxically acuter. Nevertheless, the need for social security is not openly accepted or acknowledged as a collective responsibility. Some people have thus practiced sadomasochism through being dominated or dominating others (Chancer, 1992). Sexual masochism is one of the most predominant paraphilia among women. Research has been conducted to understand sexual masochism. However, there lacks empirical research that addresses the potential risk factors. One criterion for BPD is impulsivity in not less than two functional areas, which may include sexual behavior. Sexual impulsivity is defined as the indulgence of sexual activity without much forethought. An example of sexual impulsivity may be engaging in sexual activity with strangers. Being involved with many sexual partners as well as high-risk sexual behavior are also examples of sexual impulsivity (Sansone & Wiederman, 2009).

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY Rathbone (2012) defines masochism as “a passive sexual attitude where the extreme instance of which appears to be that in which satisfaction is conditional upon suffering physical or mental pain at the hands of the sexual object. “ Today, masochistic relationships have increased. Borderline personality disorder is characterized by a widespread pattern of instability in impulse control, self-image, and interpersonal relationships. The disorder is also called emotionally unstable personality disorder. The signs of the disorder are such as impulsive aggression, emotional dysregulation, continuous self-injuries as well as suicidal tendencies. The causes are not well known. However, there are contributing factors that lead to the development of the borderline personality disorder which includes genetic factors and traumas during childhood such as sexual and physical abuse (Lieb et al., 2004). Literature review Masochism disorder has been with psychoanalysis for many years. Freud (1924) defines masochism as a condition of pain for pleasure. Modern psychoanalysts who seek to help patients with the disorder depend mainly on the concepts that Freud left. There is evidence that shows that women who have been sexually abused in preadolescence age have a consistent pattern of arousal form humiliation and pain inflicted during sexual activity. Various theoretical perspectives view masochism as a neurotic or characterological response to early losses, narcissistic injuries, deprivations and other traumatic experiences. Some people consider a masochistic relationship to be better than being in no sexual relationship at all. Others feel that pain must be endured to maintain the old object tie or as a

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY representation of a struggle to take control over the traumatic loss of early omnipotence (Cooper, 2009). Still, other individuals practice masochism to feel victorious over a trauma or calamity (Ellman, 2009) Stefan (2012) conducted a study that discovered women who had earlier been sexually defiled by parents at an early age demonstrates a constant pattern of arousal from humiliation and pain inflicted during sexual activity. Stefan presents a model that explains the origin of the paraphilia in women. It is proposed that masochism is an adaptive response to previous assault wherein the shame and rage become significant to sexual arousal. Sexual masochism has been anecdotally observed in individuals suffering from borderline personality disorder. Recently, the relationship has been empirically proven to be beyond anecdote. According to a study in “Archives of Sexual Behavior” women with borderline personality disorder were found to be ten times likely to have masochism disorder as compared to women who were not suffering from borderline personality behavior. Also, women identified as masochist had experienced more sexual abuse when they were young and dismissing attachments. The findings demonstrate that women suffering from borderline personality disorder are at a considerably higher risk of engaging in high-risk sexual activities. The results of it are increasing existing trauma and also leads to physical and emotional injury (Dolan, 2017). The answer as to what accounts for the correlation between sexual masochism and borderline personality disorder are complicated. Nevertheless, researchers believe that sexual abuse contributes to the development of the disorder. Approximately 50% of individuals

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY diagnosed with borderline personality disorder have suffered from sexual assault at an early age. Aims, objectives, and significance of the study The study will show the relationship between borderline personality disorder and masochism in women. The study also seeks to draw together findings on this relationship and how early childhood abuses affects women’s sexuality. The study seeks to respond to: 1. Are women with borderline personality disorder more likely to have sexual masochism disorder as compared to those without personality disorders? 2.

Is there a connection between early sexual abuse and sexual masochism disorder

among women? 3.

Is there a relationship between early sexual abuse and borderline personality

disorder among women? 4.

Is there a different pattern of adult attachment among BPD women suffering from

sexual masochism disorder? Methods The study will use various electronic databases, namely; PsychINFO, Embase, and Medline. PsycINFO is a database with over 3 million records of peer-reviewed literature since 1800. PsycINFO is the most comprehensive and trusted psychological science library,

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY worldwide and thus relevant for this particular study. Embase has the most current data on biomedical literature since 1947. MEDLINE has reliable information that will be significant for the research and hence a relevant source. Combining the three databases will ensure that a significant number of peer-reviewed journals will be included in the study. There will be various search terms that will be used, including; * BPD *, * sexuality *, * personality *, *sexual abuse *, *masochism*. The results will be restricted to the English language. Additional searching will be conducted in the Journal of Archives of Sexual Behavior and American Journal of Psychiatry if need be. The study will also involve a total of 20 women, ten suffering from borderline personality disorder and the rest without. The researcher will contact psychiatrists and counselors working in private practice and ask them to invite BPD clients to take part in the study. An identical letter will be given to clients to ensure that there is consistency in the selection process. Proposed procedures and actions Psychiatry was criticized in the 20th century. People who are suffering from borderline personality disorder and masochism disorder fail to seek medical attention due to fear of stigmatization. Children who are abused at an early age suffer in silence and develop mental conditions that affect their sexuality, personality, and their overall being. The study will provide necessary information that will be a good foundation on where to start on educating the society.

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY People suffering from a borderline personality disorder can enjoy masochism like other human beings. Nevertheless, for many, it is a sign of deep emotional distress in response to traumatic experience, and hence it should be treated. Women suffering from borderline personality disorder are trapped in an ongoing state of dysfunction and puts them in a risk of physical injuries and new psychological traumas. Also, the disorder keeps women hidden from their true selves and prevents them from discovering their true sexual desires. This, in turn, affects the people who are close to them and thus need for seeking medical attention. The society should be educated on helping people who seem to be suffering from traumas. Parents should ensure that their children are safe from sexual offenders and take relevant measures in case of an accident. Counseling at an early age for the affected children should be conducted to help them overcome and heal from the pain. Planned analysis A semi-structured interview will be used, and participants will be given a chance to tell their life experiences. According to Willig (2001), semi-structured interviewing is one of the most commonly used methods of collecting data in qualitative research. The interview will allow participants to express themselves openly and freely. The conversations with participants will be recorded and the tapes transcribed for analysis. The researcher will listen to the interviews severally to make notes on each of the participant’s story. The researcher will analyze the narrative structure of each transcript and then changes in tone. Listening to the story many times will assist in gaining a clear perspective of the participant and how they relate to their particular story.

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References Chancer, L. S. (1992). Sadomasochism in everyday life: The dynamics of power and powerlessness. Rutgers University Press. Cooper, A. M. (2009). Feature: The Narcissistic-Masochistic Character. Psychiatric Annals, 39(10), 904-912. Dolan, E. (2017). Study finds link between borderline personality disorder and masochism in women. PsyPost. Retrieved 17 October 2017, from http://www.psypost.org/2017/04/study-finds-link-borderline-personality-disordermasochism-women-48723 Ellman, P. L. (2009). Battling the life and death forces of sadomasochism: Clinical perspectives from three cultures. The panel, Congress of International Psychoanalytical Association, Chicago, IL. Freud, S. (1924). Das Ökonomische Problem des Masochismus–The Economic Problem of Masochism. Lieb, K., Zanarini, M. C., Schmahl, C., Linehan, M. M., & Bohus, M. (2004). Borderline personality disorder. The Lancet, 364(9432), 453-461. Rathbone, J. (2012). Anatomy of masochism. Springer Science & Business Media. Sansone, R. A., & Wiederman, M. W. (2009). Borderline personality symptomatology, casual sexual relationships, and promiscuity. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 6(3), 36.

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SEXUALITY AND PERSONALITY Stefan, S. (2012). Sexual abuse and masochism in women: etiology and treatment. Journal of Cognitive & Behavioral Psychotherapies, 12(2). Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

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