Structural Modeling of Borderline Personality Traits in Adolescents Based on Object Relations and Childhood Trauma: The Mediating Role of Mentalization Capacity

The clinical symptoms of borderline personality disorder typically begin in early adulthood and severely disrupt an individual's functioning in various areas, especially interpersonal relationships. Therefore, it is essential to examine the factors that play a role in the development of the core of borderline personality disorder. The purpose of the current research is to model the structural relationships of borderline personality symptoms in adolescents based on object relations and childhood trauma, considering the mediating role of mentalization capacity.

The current research employs a descriptive and correlational research design. A sample of 342 individuals was selected from secondary school students in Babolsar city using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method. The variables were measured using the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children (Crick, 2005), the Bell Relationship Inventory for Adolescents (Morris Bell, 2003), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Bernstein et al., 2003), and the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for Youth (Sharp et al., 2009). To analyze the collected data, both SPSS 24 and SMART PLS 3.2.8 software were utilized.

The results indicated that maladaptive object relations and childhood trauma have a direct and indirect impact on borderline personality traits through weakened mentalizing abilities.

Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that dysfunctional object relations and childhood trauma can independently predict borderline personality symptoms in adolescence. Moreover, object relations and childhood trauma can impede the development of mentalization. By disrupting the formation of this crucial ability, they lay the groundwork for the emergence of borderline personality traits in adolescence. Recognizing the importance of early object relations, childhood trauma, and mentalization capacity as influential factors in the development of borderline personality traits can deepen our comprehension of the underlying mechanisms. This comprehension, in turn, can facilitate the implementation of preventive measures during adolescence and even earlier stages.