Addressing antagonism in the context of treatment for borderline personality disorder.

Antagonism, a personality trait implicated in the development of a range of externalizing disorders, has the potential to significantly impact the course of therapy given its relevance for interpersonal functioning. This commentary describes the process of developing cognitive behavioral modules for personality symptoms, a short-term intervention for borderline personality disorder that directly addresses the personality traits associated with this condition: negative affectivity, disinhibition, and antagonism. Antagonism, as it manifests in the context of borderline personality disorder, is operationalized and putative functional mechanisms associated with its maintenance are suggested. Specific cognitive-behavioral skills are linked to maintaining processes and preliminary evidence of their efficacy for reducing antagonism is presented. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).