Abstract
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are two disorders that share a number of overlapping diagnostic features, such as impulsivity and difficulty with emotion regulation ability. Studies suggest that individuals who meet criteria for an ADHD diagnosis in childhood may have an increased vulnerability for experiencing features of BPD in adulthood. Based on this premise, this study aimed to investigate if resilience, a factor found to improve psychological outcomes, impacts the relationship between ADHD features in childhood and BPD features in adulthood. It was hypothesized that individuals who report high levels of resilience would experience less BPD symptomatology than those with less resilience, regardless of level of retrospective ADHD symptom endorsement. An anonymous, on-line survey questionnaire was utilized that measured ADHD features in childhood, BPD features in adulthood, and resilience. There was a significant and positive correlation between ADHD features in childhood and BPD features in adulthood. ADHD features and BPD features were each significantly and negatively correlated with resilience. A moderation analysis showed that resilience was not a significant moderator in the relationship between ADHD features in childhood and BPD features in adulthood. A subsequent mediation analysis found that resilience was a significant mediator in the relationship between ADHD features in childhood and BPD features in adulthood. These findings emphasize the importance of continued research on resilience, as well as the incorporation of resilience into treatments for ADHD in childhood and BPD in adulthood.
First Advisor
James McCarthy
Document Type
ETD
Date of Award
7-2-2024
Recommended Citation
Kastin, Jessica, "Relations Among Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Features in Childhood and Adolescence, Resilience, and Borderline Personality Disorder Features in Adulthood" (2024). ETD Collection. 3.
https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/etd/3