Does Childhood Abuse Cause Borderline Personality Traits?

This study suggests that the association between the two may arise from common genetic influences.

Childhood abuse (CA) is strongly associated with, and is often considered an etiological factor in, borderline personality disorder (BPD). In a longitudinal twin study, researchers examined this relationship and the possibly mediating and moderating effects of internalizing and externalizing disorders.

Participants were 1382 same-sex twin pairs assessed initially at age 11 or 17 and at age 24 (896 monozygotic [MZ] and 486 dizygotic [DZ] pairs; 334 discordant for CA). The probability of each CA type (emotional, physical, sexual) correlated with worse severity of BPD traits at age 24. Internalizing disorders, externalizing disorders, and their combination were significantly associated with BPD traits. BPD traits did not differ between MZ twins…

Reviewing Author

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Deborah Cowley, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Katz Family Foundation

Does Childhood Abuse Cause Borderline Personality Traits?

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Reviewing Author