Examining the Interaction of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Effect of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders.

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Thesis Topic: Examining the Interaction of Genetic and Environmental Factors on the Effect of Childhood Trauma on Personality Disorders.

Hypothesis: Genetic predisposition and environmental factors interact in a way to make childhood trauma a significant risk factor for personality disorders, especially Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).

Null Hypothesis: There is no meaningful connection between personality disorders and childhood trauma and that there is no interaction between genetic and environmental factors that could affect this relationship.

1. Introduction
   1. Defining childhood trauma
   2. Summary of personality disorders with a focus on borderline personality disorder.
2. The Prevalence of Childhood Trauma and Personality Disorders.
   1. Statistics on personality disorders in people who have experienced childhood trauma.
   2. Comparison between populations that are not dealing with mental disorders
3. Various forms of childhood trauma linked to personality disorders
   1. Sexual abuse
   2. Physical abuse
   3. Emotional abuse and neglect
   4. Verbal assault
4. Personality disorders and genetic components
   1. Vulnerabilities caused by genetics
   2. Personality traits associated with disorders that may be inherited
5. Environmental Elements
   1. Parenting methods and family dynamics
   2. Influences from peers
   3. Socioeconomic factors
6. Genetic and environmental factors interacting
   1. Interactions between genes and environments
   2. The study of epigenetics
7. Effects of childhood trauma on the nervous system
   1. Changes to the structure and function of the brain
   2. Changes to stress response
8. Mechanisms of the mind
   1. Theory of attachment
   2. Difficulties controlling emotions
   3. Distortions of cognition
9. Focus on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
   1. Prevalence of childhood trauma in those dealing with BPD
   2. BPD’s specific characteristics associated with childhood trauma
10. Implications for Prevention and Treatment
    1. Trauma-informed methods
    2. Early intervention techniques
11. Conclusion
    1. An overview of the main ideas
    2. Directions for future research.

References:

Battle, C. L., Shea, M. T., Johnson, D. M., Yen, S., Zlotnick, C., Zanarini, M. C., … & Morey, L. C. (2004). Childhood maltreatment associated with adult personality disorders: findings from the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study.

Bandelow, B., Krause, J., Wedekind, D., Broocks, A., Hajak, G., & Rüther, E. (2005). Early traumatic life events, parental attitudes, family history, and birth risk factors in patients with borderline personality disorder and healthy controls.

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder.

Bornovalova, M. A., Huibregtse, B. M., Hicks, B. M., Keyes, M., McGue, M., & Iacono, W. (2013). Tests of a direct effect of childhood abuse on adult borderline personality disorder traits: A longitudinal discordant twin design.

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). What causes personality disorders

Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Personality Disorders: Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.

Cattane, N., Rossi, R., Lanfredi, M., & Cattaneo, A. (2017). Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: exploring the affected biological systems and mechanism