Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is highly correlated with other mental disorders and poses significant psychological and social risks both to individuals and to society. This study aims to investigate the relationship between attachment, perceived rejection, and psychologic...

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Main Authors: Mojdeh Askari, Mohammad Ali Zakeri, Alaa Hamza Hermis, Xiao Xu, Sri Widowati, Reza Mohammadmehr
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:BMC Psychiatry
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06900-6
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author Mojdeh Askari
Mohammad Ali Zakeri
Alaa Hamza Hermis
Xiao Xu
Sri Widowati
Reza Mohammadmehr
author_facet Mojdeh Askari
Mohammad Ali Zakeri
Alaa Hamza Hermis
Xiao Xu
Sri Widowati
Reza Mohammadmehr
author_sort Mojdeh Askari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is highly correlated with other mental disorders and poses significant psychological and social risks both to individuals and to society. This study aims to investigate the relationship between attachment, perceived rejection, and psychological security with BPD. Methods This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 89 BPD patients. The BPD patients was selected using a convenience sampling method. The instruments used in this study included the demographic characteristics form, the Rejection Sensitivity Perception Scale (RSPS), the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), the Maslow’s Psychological Security scale and the Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, employing Pearson correlation and regression analysis methods. Results The mean scores of BPI were 25.59 ± 5.19. The mean scores for perceived rejection and attachment were 7.71 ± 3.52 and 35.76 ± 6.64, respectively. We found a positive significant correlation between perceived rejection (r = 0.35, p = 0.001), attachment (r = 0.25, p = 0.017) and psychological and social security (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) with BPI. The results of multivariate linear regression indicated that psychological and social security, perceived rejection, and gender predicted 40% of the variance in BPD (R² = 40%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions In the present study, attachment, rejection, and sense of security were found to be associated with BPD. To prevent BPD, it is essential to consider factors such as attachment, rejection, and security. Therefore, mental health care providers are advised to plan and implement appropriate interventions to identify and improve these variables, thereby enhancing related health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-89208114fc4e4828af892d1e39567dd32025-08-20T03:10:31ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2025-05-012511810.1186/s12888-025-06900-6Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional studyMojdeh Askari0Mohammad Ali Zakeri1Alaa Hamza Hermis2Xiao Xu3Sri Widowati4Reza Mohammadmehr5Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University Qom BranchNon-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical SciencesAL-Dewaynia, Nursing College, Al-Qadisiyah UniversityDepartment of Nursing, Nantong Health College of Jiangsu ProvinceDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Muhammadiyah of MalangHealth Psychology, Islamic Azad University Qom BranchAbstract Background Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is highly correlated with other mental disorders and poses significant psychological and social risks both to individuals and to society. This study aims to investigate the relationship between attachment, perceived rejection, and psychological security with BPD. Methods This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted on 89 BPD patients. The BPD patients was selected using a convenience sampling method. The instruments used in this study included the demographic characteristics form, the Rejection Sensitivity Perception Scale (RSPS), the Revised Adult Attachment Scale (RAAS), the Maslow’s Psychological Security scale and the Borderline Personality Inventory (BPI). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, employing Pearson correlation and regression analysis methods. Results The mean scores of BPI were 25.59 ± 5.19. The mean scores for perceived rejection and attachment were 7.71 ± 3.52 and 35.76 ± 6.64, respectively. We found a positive significant correlation between perceived rejection (r = 0.35, p = 0.001), attachment (r = 0.25, p = 0.017) and psychological and social security (r = 0.55, p < 0.001) with BPI. The results of multivariate linear regression indicated that psychological and social security, perceived rejection, and gender predicted 40% of the variance in BPD (R² = 40%) (p < 0.05). Conclusions In the present study, attachment, rejection, and sense of security were found to be associated with BPD. To prevent BPD, it is essential to consider factors such as attachment, rejection, and security. Therefore, mental health care providers are advised to plan and implement appropriate interventions to identify and improve these variables, thereby enhancing related health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06900-6Personality disorderAttachment experiencesRejectionMental securityBorderline personality disorder
spellingShingle Mojdeh Askari
Mohammad Ali Zakeri
Alaa Hamza Hermis
Xiao Xu
Sri Widowati
Reza Mohammadmehr
Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study
BMC Psychiatry
Personality disorder
Attachment experiences
Rejection
Mental security
Borderline personality disorder
title Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study
title_full Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study
title_short Is adults’ borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences, rejection and mental security? A cross-sectional study
title_sort is adults borderline personality disorder associated with their attachment experiences rejection and mental security a cross sectional study
topic Personality disorder
Attachment experiences
Rejection
Mental security
Borderline personality disorder
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06900-6
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