The relationship between mentalization and borderline personality features in adolescents: mediating role of emotion regulation

Abstract

Dysfunctions in both emotion regulation and mentalization capacity might be reasons behind borderline personality features. This study investigated the mediating role of emotion regulation between mentalization and borderline personality features in adolescents. We recruited 218 adolescents (mean of age = 16.45 ± 1.01 years old, 62.0% girls) based on convenience sampling from high school students. We evaluated mentalization using reflective functioning questionnaire (RFQ), emotion regulation with difficulties in emotion regulation scale (DERS), and borderline personality features with borderline personality features scale for children (BPFSC). There were significant associations between mentalization, emotion regulation, and borderline personality features. Difficulties in emotion regulation mediated between mentalization and borderline personality features. Mentalization deficits and emotion dysregulation contribute significantly to borderline personality features in adolescents. Mentalization deficits might affect borderline personality features’ development via its effect on emotion regulation. Prevention and treatment plans for borderline personality disorder should focus on emotion regulation and mentalization.

Keywords

• borderline personality
• mentalization
• emotional dysregulation