The mediator factor of theory of mind skills on relationship between early childhood experiences and borderline personality organization

Childhood traumas and attachment styles are variables that affect borderline personality organization. However, the nature of the relationship between early childhood experiences and borderline personality organization has not been clarified. The literature is limited in investigating the mediating role of theory of mind skills on the relationship between early childhood experiences and borderline personality organization. This study aims to examine the relationship between the early childhood experiences and attachment styles of individuals aged between 18-30 years and Borderline Personality Organization and to test the mediating role of theory of mind skills in this relationship. 179 participants (87 Females - 92 Males) aged between 18-30 participated in the study. Data were collected with Demographic Information Form, Borderline Personality Inventory, Kırmayı Tanıma Testi-Kısa Versiyon, Üç Boyutlu Bağlanma Stilleri, Three-Dimensional Attachment Styles, and Childhood Trauma Scale (CTQ-33). As a result of the analysis, it was found that childhood traumas predicted borderline personality organization positively, while insecure attachment styles predicted borderline personality organization positively. In addition, it was found that the theory of mind skills predicted borderline personality organization negatively and significantly. On the other hand, the avoiding attachment styles subset insecure attachment style predicted the theory of mind skill negatively; however, it was found that the anxious ambivalent attachment style did not have a significant relationship with the theory of mind skill. Finally, when the mediating effect of the theory of mind in the relationship between childhood traumas and insecure attachment styles with borderline personality organization was examined, the results showed that the theory of mind did not have a mediating effect in this relationship. Findings indicate that negative early life experiences may be associated with borderline personality organization, but the theory of mind skills may not play a mediating role in this relationship. In the discussion section, research findings are supported by the literature and it is discussed that the nonsignificant role of theory of mind as a mediator between early childhood experiences and borderline personality organization may be due to the scale and sample structure. Various recommendations are provided for future studies.