Psychological adjustment mediating the relationship between childhood maltreatment and borderline personality features among Chinese early adolescents

A strong link between childhood maltreatment (CM) and borderline personality features (BPF) has been consistently demonstrated. However, little is known about the role of psychological adjustment (PA) as a mediator of this relationship. The purpose of the study was to explore the mediating role of P...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of affective disorders 2022-10, Vol.314, p.249-252
Main Authors: Li, Yong-Han, Wang, Geng-Fu, Yuan, Meng-Yuan, Chang, Jun-Jie, Wang, Shao-Jie, Cao, Lei-Lei, Li, Yuan, Su, Pu-Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Borderline personality features
Childhood maltreatment
Early adolescents
Psychological adjustment
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Summary:A strong link between childhood maltreatment (CM) and borderline personality features (BPF) has been consistently demonstrated. However, little is known about the role of psychological adjustment (PA) as a mediator of this relationship. The purpose of the study was to explore the mediating role of PA in the CM-BPF linkage in a large sample of early adolescents. A total of 5724 students (mean age = 13.5, SD = 1.0) were recruited from three middle schools by using the multistage random cluster sampling method in Anhui Province, China. Participants were required to complete self-report questionnaires regarding CM experience, self-perceived PA and BPF. Mediation analyses were computed via structural equation modelling. CM victimization was positively associated with BPF, and individuals with lower levels of PA were more likely to present with BPF. Mediation analysis showed a significant indirect effect of CM on BPF via PA (effect = 0.047, 95 % CI: 0.035, 0.058). The cross-sectional design of this study did not allow testing causality. The retrospective investigation of CM history could cause recall bias. PA partially mediates the relationship between CM and BPF. These findings have important implications for considering PA as a protective factor in this relationship. •This study is investigated in an early adolescence population.•Exposure to childhood maltreatment is positively associated with borderline personality features.•Psychological adjustment mediates the relationship between childhood maltreatment and borderline personality features.
ISSN:0165-0327
1573-2517
DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.028