The Role of Gender in Borderline Personality Disorder

This study is a mixed-methods, single-arm cross-sectional study comprising 1) a qualitative, exploratory, critical-constructivist content analysis examining the significance of gender in relationship experiences and self-perception among individuals with borderline personality disorder and various gender identities, and 2) a pilot study on the use of the Single-Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IATs, adapted from von Hippel et al., 2018) as preparation for a larger-scale experimental psychological study using the SC-IAT to assess implicit gender- and BPD-related thought processes in people with borderline personality disorder and various gender identities.

15 individuals with BPD and different gender identities will be assessed. The research questions are:

1. What gender-related relationship- and self-experiences can be identified in people with BPD? How do experiences relate to observer-coded and self-reported mentalization ability, as well as self-reported symptoms, experiences of stigmatization, and quality of life? 2. Is there preliminary evidence that Single-Category Implicit Association Tests (SC-IATs) are suitable and reliable instruments for measuring implicit gender- and BPD-related thought processes in people with BPD?