Front Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 22;16:1454328. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1454328. eCollection 2025.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study investigates age-related differences in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) traits and childhood maltreatment (CM) experiences among adolescents, young adults, and older adults within a clinical sample.
METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed, involving 2029 outpatients aged 15-50 years from the Shanghai Mental Health Center. BPD traits were assessed using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire 4th Edition Plus (PDQ-4+), and CM experiences were evaluated using the Child Trauma Questionnaire Short Form (CTQ-SF). Participants were categorized into three age groups: adolescents (15-21 years), young adults (22-30 years), and older adults (31-50 years).
RESULTS: Adolescents reported significantly higher frequencies of BPD traits and diagnoses compared to young adults and older adults (p=0.036). Specifically, identity disturbance and impulsivity were more pronounced in adolescents (p<0.001). Additionally, adolescents reported higher levels of emotional (F=15.987, p<0.001) and physical abuse (F=12.942, p=0.002), while older adults reported higher levels of emotional and physical neglect. Logistic regression analysis identified key BPD criteria and CM subtypes that differentiated adolescents from adults.
DISCUSSION: The findings underscore the importance of age-specific interventions in treating BPD and addressing childhood maltreatment. Adolescents exhibit distinct patterns of BPD traits and CM experiences, necessitating tailored therapeutic approaches.
PMID:39911327 | PMC:PMC11794515 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1454328
