Structural modeling of self-harming behaviors based on personality organization with the mediating role of childhood traumas and reflective function in militaries with borderline personality disorder and healthy people.

Abstract

Background: According to previous studies, self-harming behaviors are growing rapidly, and demographic groups with extensive diagnoses are at risk of this injury. This study aimed to perform structural modeling of self-harming behaviors based on personality organization with the mediating role of childhood traumas and reflective function in militaries with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and healthy people.

Materials and method: This study was descriptive with the structural equation model. The statistical population was military men with BPD and healthy people. The sample in this research included 100 militaries with BPD and 100 psychologically healthy people from March 2023 to June 2023. The sample was selected randomly from Artesh 505 Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling.

Results: The results indicated the group with BPD, personality organization, and reflective function had a negative and significant effect of -0.471 and -0.405 on self-harming behaviors and childhood traumas also had a positive and significant effect of 0.887 on self-harming behaviors. Also, in the healthy people, personality organization and reflective function had a negative and significant effect of -0.442 and -0.145 on self-harming behaviors and childhood traumas also had a positive and significant effect of 0.643 on self-harming behaviors.

Conclusion: Based on the results obtained from the proposed model of the current study, the role of childhood traumas and reflective function in the relationship between self-harming behaviors and BPD can be carefully considered by health professionals.