The Prediction of Borderline Personality Characteristics based on Attachment Styles and Self-Differentiation: the Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation

Borderline personality disorder is a complex and serious mental disorder that contains a pervasive pattern of instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulsivity that begins in early adulthood. The aim of this study was to predict the characteristics of borderline personality disorder based on their attachment and differentiation styles through emotion regulation. The study population was all students of Tehran universities with a sample of 372 who were selected using available sampling method. Data collection tools were Drake Short Form of Self-Differentiation Scale (2011), Hazen and Schiver Adult Attachment Questionnaire (1987), Gratz and Roemer Emotional Difficulty Scale (2004), and Borderline Personality Disorder Characteristics Questionnaire. Research data were analyzed using correlation and regression methods.  The results showed that the difficulty in regulating emotion as a mediating variable partially affects the relationship between self-differentiation and attachment styles with borderline personality disorder traits. Therefore, in a general conclusion, it can be said  attachment styles, self-differentiation were mediated by emotion regulation, may predict the characteristics of borderline personality disorder independenly