Since its earliest descriptions in the literature, impairment in interpersonal functioning has been a prominent characteristic of people with BPD, both from theoretical and diagnostic standpoints (Stern, 1938 Kernberg, 1967).ĭespite the long history and that all current evidence-based treatments of BPD include strategies to improve interpersonal functioning, there remains a serious need to elucidate the specific interpersonal processes that are problematic for individuals diagnosed with BPD (Hill et al., 2011). The lifetime prevalence of BPD is 5.9% (Grant et al., 2008). We suggest further longitudinal research within the field of music therapy, to study how recovery of these timing habits are related to attachment experiences and interpersonal functioning in general.īorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and complex mental disorder characterized by pervasive difficulties with emotion regulation, impulse control, and instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image (Skodol et al., 2002). These findings are in accordance with previous research, where BPD is characterized by difficulties in attachment relationships such as maintaining strong attachment with others, but it is novel to find empirical evidence of such issues in joint musical improvisation. More specifically, over the course of the improvisation B section (freer improvisation), controls' timing deviations decreased (temporal synchrony became more precise) whereas that of the patients with BPD did not, confirming our hypothesis. Results indicated that a logistic regression model, built on differences in timing deviations, predicted diagnosis with 82% success. We hypothesized that the insecure attachment system associated with BPD would be activated in the joint improvisation and manifest in measures of timing behavior. Using a novel, carefully planned, ABA′ accompaniment paradigm, and taking into account the possible influences of mood, psychotropic medication, general attachment, and musical sophistication, we recorded piano improvisations of 16 BPD patients and 12 matched healthy controls. We propose joint musical improvisation as an alternative method to investigate interpersonal processes. Previous research has concentrated on self-report questionnaires, unidirectional tests, and experimental paradigms wherein the exchange of social signals between individuals was not the focus. Impairments in interpersonal functioning have always been a prominent characteristic of BPD, indicating a need for research to identify the specific interpersonal processes that are problematic for diagnosed individuals. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious and complex mental disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 5.9%, characterized by pervasive difficulties with emotion regulation, impulse control, and instability in interpersonal relationships and self-image.