The mediating roles of adult attachment dimensions and mentalization between child maltreatment and borderline personality organization in a non-clinical sample

In the present study, the mediating roles of adult attachment dimensions and mentalization in the relationship between child maltreatment and borderline personality organization were investigated. The sample of the study consisted of 433 participants between the ages of 18-40. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Mentalization Scale and Borderline Personality Inventory. Analyses were conducted by using SPSS 23 software. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analyses and Serial Multiple Mediator Analyses were conducted to investigate the research questions. The findings of Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analyses showed that all hypotheses formed between variables were confirmed. The findings of Serial Multiple Mediator Analyses showed that 1) attachment anxiety and mentalization, and 2) attachment avoidance and mentalization had serial mediator roles in the relationship between child maltreatment and borderline personality organization. The findings of the study were discussed in light of the current literature. Finally, the clinical implications of the study, its limitations and the suggestions for future studies were presented. Keywords Child maltreatment, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, mentalization, borderline personality organization