The Relationship of Childhood Traumas and Alexithymia With Theory of Mind in Borderline Personality Disorder.

INTRODUCTION

This study examined the relationship between childhood trauma, alexithymia, and theory of mind (ToM) skills in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD).

STATEMENT OF STUDY TYPE: This study is a cross-sectional, randomized controlled survey/scale study.

METHODS

Ninety participants were divided into three groups: BPD patients with high trauma levels (n=30), BPD patients with low trauma levels (n=30), and healthy controls (n=30). Assessments included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET), and a sociodemographic form.

RESULTS

BPD patients had significantly higher childhood trauma exposure (p<.001), alexithymia (p<.001), and lower ToM skills (p<.001) than controls. No significant relationship was found between trauma scores and alexithymia (p=.937) or ToM skills (p=.461) within the BPD group.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that BPD itself may impair ToM skills independently of childhood trauma and alexithymia.