Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem as a Moderator of Borderline Personality Features and Mate Retention

Abstract

The current study examined the relationship between borderline personality features, relationship-contingent self-esteem, and mate retention behaviors. Participants (N = 204) were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). They completed the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem Scale, and the Mate Retention Inventory-Short Form. Participants then received feedback through the modified Future Alone Manipulation, where they were randomly assigned to one of three feedback conditions: positive, negative, or negative control. After the feedback, participants completed the Mate Retention Inventory-Short Form to assess their response to feedback. Contrary to our predictions, borderline personality features (BPF) were not correlated with relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE), and RCSE and threat did not moderate the relationship between BPF and mate retention behaviors (MRB). Consistent with our hypotheses, BPF predicted the used of cost-inflicting MRB. Interestingly, RCSE predicted the use of benefit-provisioning MRB. This research is the first to address the relationship between BPF and RCSE and provides insight into individuals differences in relationship behaviors.