Borderline personality features and presence of meaning in life: Mediating role of interpersonal problems

Abstract

Individuals with features of borderline personality disorder (BPD) may have difficulty sustaining a sense of meaning in life. Although problematic interpersonal behaviours may account for the link between BPD features and meaning, few studies have examined this possibility. The present study examined the mediating role of interpersonal problems in the association between borderline personality features and presence of meaning in life. A sample of Canadian community members completed the Borderline Symptom List, a brief version of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, and the presence subscale of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. Testing of indirect effects using bootstrap 95% confidence intervals found that interpersonal problems significantly mediated the relationship between borderline personality features and presence of meaning in life. This mediation effect remained significant after controlling for severity of general psychological distress. Thus, severity of interpersonal problems is a significant factor in explaining the link between BPD features and diminished meaning in life. The findings of this study suggest possibilities for further research regarding interpersonal dysfunction and meaning, and point to interpersonal problems as targets for helping to enhance meaning in life among individuals with features of BPD.

Keywords

• borderline personality features
• meaning in life
• interpersonal problems
• mediation