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

Shian-Ling Keng,Chang Yuan Soh

doi:10.1186/s40479-018-0096-6

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.

Highlights

Linehan (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
In a separate study involving Chinese outpatients, Zhang and colleagues found that BPD symptomatology correlated positively with childhood emotional, physical and sexual abuse, as well as childhood emotional and physical neglect [21]. While these findings provide some support for the biosocial model, none of the studies assessed the broader construct of childhood invalidation in relation to BPD symptomatology
Specific aims and hypotheses The present study aimed to investigate the association between parental invalidation and BPD symptoms in the Singaporean context, as well as explore the role of self-construal and conformity as potential moderators of the association

Summary

Introduction

Linehan (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 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. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a psychological disorder characterized by pervasive patterns of dysregulation in affective, interpersonal, behavioral, and cognitive domains. Experiences of invalidation may result in individuals internalizing such behaviors (e.g., engaging in self-invalidation) and failing to learn adaptive ways of regulating emotions. Individuals may resort to maladaptive ways of coping with negative emotions, such as recurrent self-injurious behaviors, which is a common feature of BPD

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion