Relations between borderline personality disorder traits, rejection sensitivity, and impulsivity in predicting aggressive and risk behaviors

Objectives. This contribution aims at investigating the differential relations between BPD traits, different components of rejection sensitivity, and various aspects of impulsivity. Methods. Six hundred and seventy-six University students completed a series of measures including the BPD checklist, different scales related to impulsivity and a rejection sensitivity questionnaire, and after two weeks a self-report of aggressive and risk behaviors. Based on the BPD traits, we selected the first (low BPD) and last (high BPD) quartile resulting in a sample of 343 (173 women, M age = 22.62, SD = 3.55). Results. A series of mediation and moderation analyses showed specific relations between BPD traits, different facets of impulsivity (i.e., triggering action vs. pervasiveness of emotions), the three aspects of rejection sensitivity (expectations, angry and anxious emotions), and aggressive and risk behaviors. Conclusions. Results are discussed in the perspective of the relation between BPD traits and problematic behaviors.