DBT assumes that borderline personality disorder is primarily a dysfunction of what?

The correct answer identifies that Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) considers borderline personality disorder primarily a dysfunction of emotion regulation. This concept is central to DBT, which was specifically developed to address the unique emotional struggles individuals with borderline personality disorder experience.

Emotion regulation refers to the ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences effectively. People with borderline personality disorder often have intense emotional responses and difficulties managing those emotions, leading to instability in relationships, self-image, and behavior. DBT focuses on teaching skills that enhance individuals' abilities to regulate their emotions, such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation strategies.

This emphasis on emotion regulation distinguishes DBT from other therapeutic approaches that may prioritize different aspects, such as cognitive restructuring or impulse control. While the other choices do relate in some way to the experiences of individuals with borderline personality disorder, they are not the primary focus of DBT, which aims to address and improve the core issue of emotional dysregulation.