Attachment Insecurities and Features of Borderline Personality Disorder: The Mediational Role of Dichotomous Thinking and Social Trust

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Education and Psychology Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 MSc in Clinical Family Psychology, Family Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, Education and Psychology Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Assistant professor, Education and Psychology Faculty, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of dichotomous thinking and social trust in the relationship between insecure attachment dimensions and features of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
 
Method: The statistical population consisted of university students from 20 provinces in Iran, with data collected from February to March 2021. A correlational design based on structural equation modeling was used, involving 436 university students selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed self-report measures, including the Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Scale, Adult Attachment Inventory, Social Trust Questionnaire, and Dichotomous Thinking Inventory. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the proposed model.
 
Results: The serial mediation model showed that dichotomous thinking mediated the relationship between insecure attachment dimensions and social trust, which in turn predicted features of BPD. The predictor variables explained 4%, 50%, and 60% of the variance in dichotomous thinking, social trust, and BPD features, respectively.
 
Conclusion: The pathway by which attachment insecurities influence BPD features varies by attachment dimension. Furthermore, social mistrust, rather than dichotomous thinking, serves as a key mechanism through which attachment insecurities contribute to BPD features. Addressing social mistrust may provide a more comprehensive understanding of BPD.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Applied Psychology
Volume 18, Issue 3 - Serial Number 71
October 2024
Pages 100-123

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