A network model of borderline personality traits, aggression, and self-harm

Abstract

• Borderline traits play a central role in the relationship between Cluster B traits, self-injurious behavior, and aggression towards others. • Borderline traits may link antisocial traits to aggressive behaviors. • Gender was not found to be related to any nodes in the network model. Cluster B personality disorders (PDs), which include borderline, antisocial, histrionic, and narcissistic PD, are characterized by impulsivity, emotionality, and dramatic behavior. Cluster B PDs are therefore associated with increased aggression, suicidal behavior, and non-suicidal self-injury. However, estimates of the associations between PD dimensions and these behaviors can potentially differ for men and women. A network analysis was used to examine relations between Cluster B PD dimensions, gender, and self-harm and aggressive behavior. In the current study, a community sample of 197 individuals (98 women) completed a self-report measure of PD dimensions and measures of aggression and self-harm. Results indicated that borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits play a central role in the nexus between Cluster B symptoms and self-injurious behavior and aggression towards others. Gender was not related to any nodes in the model. Network estimates suggest stable associations between variables. Limitations worth noting are the exclusion of individuals with a past year suicide attempt to minimize risk associated with alcohol administration, as well as the individuals who self-select into an alcohol administration study. Given the overlap and comorbidity among Cluster B PDs, there results support the notion that that BPD plays a unique role in the expression of aggression, as well as self-harm.