RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018
Mental Health Nursing
Easy
Splitting is the trait of?
Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018
Explanation
- Splitting is a defense mechanism characterized by the inability to see both positive and negative aspects in a person or situation, leading to a black-and-white, all-or-nothing worldview.
- This pattern of alternating between extremes of idealization (seeing someone as all-good) and devaluation (seeing them as all-bad) is a hallmark feature of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
- This mechanism is central to the unstable interpersonal relationships, fluctuating self-image, and intense emotional reactivity commonly observed in individuals with BPD.
Why Other Options Were Wrong
- Option A: This disorder is primarily characterized by indirect resistance, procrastination, and negativism, not the idealization-devaluation cycle of splitting.
- Option C: This disorder's core feature is a pervasive and excessive need to be taken care of, leading to submissive and clinging behavior.
- Option D: While individuals with Narcissistic Personality Disorder devalue others, it is typically to preserve their own sense of grandiosity and superiority, rather than a result of an inability to integrate good and bad qualities.
Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
- Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Characteristics of Personality Disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
- As a nurse, recognizing splitting is crucial because it can lead to 'staff-splitting,' where a patient idealizes some staff members while devaluing others. This can disrupt team cohesion and compromise the care plan. A unified, consistent approach from all team members is the primary strategy to manage this.
- Nurses should focus on clear, consistent communication and boundary-setting. Avoid getting drawn into the patient's distorted view and instead, gently guide them toward a more integrated and realistic perspective of themselves and others.
- What if? If a patient with BPD starts idealizing you as 'the only nurse who understands,' the correct response is not to accept the special role but to gently reinforce that the entire team is working together for their care. This models healthy boundaries and counteracts the splitting behavior.
How to Approach the Question
- First, identify the key term in the question: 'Splitting'.
- Recall the definition of splitting as a defense mechanism involving black-and-white thinking (idealization and devaluation).
- Systematically review the options, which are all personality disorders. Access your knowledge about the defining characteristics of each disorder.
- Compare the definition of splitting to the core features of each personality disorder. Recognize that while other disorders may involve devaluing others, the specific, unstable cycle of idealization-devaluation is a hallmark of Borderline Personality Disorder.
- Select the option that has splitting as its most prominent and defining characteristic.
Concept Tested & Keywords
- Concept Tested: Characteristics of Personality Disorders
- Stem keywords: Splitting, trait
- Lead-in keywords: is the trait of
- Negative lead-in flag: false
Question ID
QnbdVyNftu1vRjJPq3Ot21
Reference Book
E6 Kaplan Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry-2022 (pp 1-3768 of 3768) pp. 1789-1791, 1798-1800
E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 7202-7204
Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018
Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.
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