Self-Reported Posttraumatic Stress and Borderline Personality Behaviors in Relation to Reports of Traumatic Events, Attachment, Parental Behavior, and Social Support

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are conceptualized as different constructs in the DSM-IV, but research increasingly reveals an association among the symptoms of these disorders. Two relational models were examined: a Shared Risk Factor Model and a Continuum Model. In a sample of 603 college students, principle axis factoring of the Borderline Symptom List and PTSD Checklist showed minimal overlap in symptom presentation, partially supporting a Shared Risk Factor Model. Further support was established as regression analyses showed shared risk factors for reporting a greater number of BPD and PTSD behaviors, including experiencing at least one interpersonal traumatic event, a greater number of incidents of interpersonal trauma, and interpersonal trauma across more age periods (0--4, 5--8, etc.). Mediation analyses suggest only parental behavior mediated the relation between trauma characteristics and PTSD. However, there were multiple mediators of BPD and trauma characteristics, including parental rejection, attachment, and social support by the primary support.