Avoidance of affect mediates the effect of invalidating childhood environments on borderline personality symptomatology in a non-clinical sample

Abstract

The aim of this study was to test the Linehan (1993) proposal regarding associations between invalidating childhood environments, distress tolerance (e.g., avoidance of affect), and borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms. The sample consisted of 141 non-clinical participants (51 men, 89 women, one gender unknown), ranging in age from 18 to 71 years (M = 35.17 years, SD = 13.89). The questionnaire package explored childhood environment, methods of coping with distress, and BPD features. Results indicated that reports of maternal invalidation were significantly correlated with avoidance of affect and BPD (p < .05). Mediation analysis indicated that avoidance of affect mediated the relationship between maternal invalidation and BPD. Consistent with the Linehan (1993) model, pervasive parental invalidation and avoidance of affect are considered potentially important constructs in the development and maintenance of BPD. This research contributes to the general understanding of BPD and may assist in refining the already efficacious interventions directed at patients with BPD.