Adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning: psychopathological risk

This paper presents a qualitative analysis of cognitive and emotional functioning in intellectually borderline adolescents (IQ ranging from 71 to 84) and the consequences for personality and social development. Psychopathological risk, particularly in terms of mood disorders, conduct disorders, and intellectual deterioration, is analyzed, with the distinction made between "excited" and "inhibited" forms. Conceptualizations intellectually borderline adolescents have of their own mental functioning are described in light of the notion of cognitive self--the ability to understand and control internal and external reality. The implications for psychotherapy and rehabilitation are discussed.