Investigating the association between mentalization and somatization in borderline personality disorder

Aim: Somatization can be frequently observed in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). BPD also presents with disruptions in the self and other dimensions of mentalization capacity. In our study, the effects of self and other mentalization processes on the somatization tendency observed in BPD patients are investigated. In BPD, where attachment insecurity is high, it is examined whether self- and other mentalizing stands out in the effect of this situation on somatization. Material and Method: In our study, conducted with 82 BPD patients and 82 healthy controls, the Sociodemographic and Clinical Data Form, Somatization Scale, Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Trait Meta-Mood Scale, Mentalization Scale, Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test were used. The relations between study groups and scale scores were evaluated using statistical methods. Results: Somatization was found to be more intense in BPD patients than in healthy controls. The results indicate that the somatization is associated with both self- and other-mentalizing in BPD patients. It was demonstrated with moderated mediation analysis that emotional clarity and mind-reading abilities mediated the association between attachment anxiety and somatization in BPD patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that both self- and other-mentalizing may appear as a protective factor in the increased somatization tendency seen in BPD patients. Mentalizing impairments may increase somatization by making emotional interpretation of bodily signals difficult. Identity diffusion, impairments in self-other distinction and in the sense of self-agency/ownership which are associated with deficiencies in self- and other-mentalizing may lead to an increase in the somatization tendency. Keywords: Mentalization, Somatization, Borderline Personality Disorder