Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) share a number of overlapping diagnostic features, not only with each other, but also with symptoms associated with trauma. Likewise, childhood trauma appears to be a particular risk factor for both disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to better understand the relationships between childhood trauma, ADHD, and BPD. An online study was conducted that measured incidences of childhood trauma, retrospectively reported ADHD symptoms in childhood, and BPD symptoms in adulthood. Results indicated that greater severity of childhood trauma predicted greater severity of symptoms of both ADHD and BPD, and that greater severity of ADHD symptoms in childhood predicted greater severity of BPD symptoms in adulthood. Additionally, ADHD symptoms were found to mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and BPD, and childhood trauma was found to mediate the relationship between ADHD and BPD. These findings provide important implications for the field of school-clinical psychology.
First Advisor
James McCarthy
Second Advisor
Brenna Hassinger-Das
Document Type
ETD
Date of Award
7-10-2024
Recommended Citation
Seabrook, Frank Henry, "Exploring the Relationships Between Complex Childhood Trauma, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and Borderline Personality Disorder" (2024). ETD Collection. 10.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/etd/10