Association between childhood invalidation and borderline personality symptoms: self-construal and conformity as moderating factors

Abstract

BackgroundLinehan (1993)‘s biosocial model posits that borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms develop as a result of a transactional relationship between pre-existing emotional vulnerability and an invalidating childhood environment. Little work, however, has investigated cultural factors that may influence the relationship between childhood invalidation and BPD symptoms. The present study investigated the association between parental invalidation and BPD symptoms, and the role of conformity and self-construal as potential moderators of this association.MethodsTwo hundred and ninety undergraduate students were recruited from a large university in Singapore and administered questionnaires measuring Asian values, self-construal, parental invalidation, and BPD symptomatology.ResultsMultiple regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between BPD symptoms and maternal invalidation. Moderation analyses revealed a 3-way interaction, indicating that the maternal invalidation and BPD symptoms association varied by degree of conformity and self-construal. Among participants with interdependent self-construal, maternal invalidation was associated with BPD symptoms only at high conformity levels. No significant moderating effect was found among participants with independent self-construal.ConclusionsOverall, the study found empirical support for aspects of Linehan’s biosocial model in an Asian context, and has implications for developing a culturally-informed understanding of BPD.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s40479-018-0096-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Clinical and Sociodemographic Variables as Risk Factors For Suicidal Behavior In Borderline Personality Disorder: A Restrospective Study

“…The data is consistent with the literature reviewed and those expected in BPD population 4,39,40 . This is population particularly vulnerable to adverse events in childhood and the data studied support this signi cant relationship between trauma and SB in BPD, which in line with that has been described in recent studies 9,17,18 .…”

The prevalence of personality disorders in the community: a global systematic review and meta-analysis

“…42,70 Although the use of uniform (cross-cultural) assessment tools might improve intercountry comparisons, researchers should also consider cultural nuances in symptom clusters, which could moderate aetiology and illness presentation. 71 Third, differences in pooled prevalence might be partly attributable to methodological confounders. Study design was a strong predictor of heterogeneity in both univariate and multiple meta-regression analysis, whereas country income and interview administration became non-significant predictors of heterogeneity in the final multivariate model.…”

“…42,70 Although the use of uniform (cross-cultural) assessment tools might improve inter-country comparisons, researchers should also consider cultural nuances in symptom clusters, which could moderate aetiology and illness presentation. 71…”

Clinical and sociodemographic variables as risk factors for suicidal behavior in Borderline Personality Disorder: a restrospective study.

“…The 134 patients participating in the study were divided into two groups according to their gender: 37 men (27.6%) and 97 women (72.3%). The mean age was 30 years old, with a standard deviation of 8.74; in a range between 18 Number of siblings (χ 2 = 15.738; p = 0.028). Signi cantly associating having a brother with a history of having completed an IS.…”

“…Among clinical variables that relate to SB, depressive 12,15 and anxiety symptoms 16,17 have been mentioned. One of the most studied factors in recent years is the role of childhood trauma and its relationship with SB in BPD 9,18 , highlighting particularly bullying 7,19 and sexual abuse 20,21 .…”