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Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: Exploring the buffering role of self‐compassion and self‐esteem
Author(s) -
Pohl Sina,
Steuwe Carolin,
Mainz Verena,
Driessen Martin,
Beblo Thomas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.23070
Subject(s) - self compassion , borderline personality disorder , psychology , clinical psychology , self esteem , personality , mindfulness , social psychology
Abstract Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate whether patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) show lower self‐compassion and self‐esteem than healthy controls and whether patients’ self‐compassion and self‐esteem moderate the association between childhood trauma and the severity of their BPD symptoms. Method Self‐reported self‐compassion, self‐esteem, and the current severity of BPD symptoms were assessed in 35 female patients with BPD and 35 age‐matched control participants. Further, traumatic childhood experiences were recorded in the patient group. Results Patients with BPD reported significantly lower self‐compassion and self‐esteem compared to healthy controls. In addition, self‐compassion but not self‐esteem moderated the positive correlation between childhood trauma and the severity of BPD symptoms. Discussion Self‐compassion appears to buffer the negative consequences of childhood traumatization. Therefore, cultivating self‐compassion may be an important therapeutic aim for patients with BPD.