Impairments in social interaction of individuals with personality disorders and dark personality traits (Beperkingen in sociale interactie van individuen met persoonlijkheidsstoornissen en donkere persoonlijkheidskenmerken)

This thesis delves into the intricate realm of personality disorders (PDs) and their impact on social interactions. Historically viewed as intractable, PDs exhibit both high prevalence and significant remission rates over time. This work underscores the shifting landscape of PD classification in DSM-5 and ICD-11, which have transitioned from categorical to dimensional perspectives. Instead of fixed disorders, severity levels, and prominent personality trait domains now shape diagnoses. Focused on addressing these changes, this thesis investigates the pivotal role of interpersonal challenges exploring the repercussions of PDs and dark personality traits in interactive experimental settings. In a chatroom paradigm, individuals with BPD exhibited distinct emotional responses to feedback in a chatroom. An economic exchange game uncovered nuanced dynamics in coalition formation games between borderline PD (BPD) patients and healthy controls. The exploration extends to individuals with antisocial PD (ASPD) revealing rapid threat recognition and perceptual deficits in facial emotion classification, both mitigated by oxytocin. Dark personality traits' influence on socio-economic decision-making, particularly in women and mixed-sex settings, are also discussed. In summary, this research provides fresh insights into the complex interplay between personality disorders and social interaction, with implications for therapeutic interventions and our broader understanding of personality pathology.