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Emerging Borderline Personality Features, Attachment Representations and Behavioral Dysregulation in School-Age
Olivier Didier1, Miguel M Terradas1,2,3,4
1Département de psychologie, Université de Sherbrooke - Campus de Longueuil, 150, Place Charles Lemoyne, bureau 200, Longueuil, J4K 0A8 Canada.
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
|June 5, 2025
Summary
Insecure attachment in children predicts emerging borderline personality features (EBPF), which then contribute to behavioral dysregulation. This study highlights a key pathway from attachment to EBPF and behavioral issues in youth.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Insecure attachment representations are linked to various child mental health issues.
- Emerging borderline personality features (EBPF) in children can manifest as significant behavioral challenges.
- Understanding the interplay between attachment, EBPF, and behavioral dysregulation is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of insecure attachment representations on EBPF in school-age children.
- To examine the role of EBPF in behavioral dysregulation.
- To explore the mediating effect of EBPF in the relationship between attachment and behavioral dysregulation.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 116 school-age children (7-12 years) from protective care, clinical, and general population groups were assessed.
- Attachment representations were measured using the Child Attachment Interview.
- EBPF and behavioral dysregulation were evaluated using the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children and the Child Behavior Checklist for youth, respectively.
Main Results:
- Children under youth protective care exhibited higher levels of insecure attachment, EBPF, and behavioral dysregulation compared to the general population.
- Insecure attachment representations significantly predicted increased EBPF.
- EBPF partially mediated the relationship between attachment representations and behavioral dysregulation.
Conclusions:
- Insecure attachment is a significant predictor of emerging borderline personality features in children.
- Emerging borderline personality features play a mediating role in the development of behavioral dysregulation.
- Findings suggest a developmental pathway from insecure attachment to EBPF and subsequent behavioral dysregulation, informing early intervention strategies.
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