Shame, Parental Invalidation, and Borderline Symptoms in Sexual and Gender Minorities
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Authors
Hubbell, Samantha
Issue Date
2025-03-28
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Borderline personality disorder , Mental health--shame , Minorities--gender , Minorities--sexual , Parental invalidation
Alternative Title
Abstract
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) than individuals who do not identify as SGM. However, the mechanisms underlying this disparity are still not fully understood. Parental invalidation is a common etiological factor for BPD, and previous research indicates shame is a common feeling among both SGM people and those diagnosed with BPD. Given that there is a paucity of research systematically examining parental invalidation, shame, and BPD symptoms among SGM individuals, the present study was designed to examine the extent to which shame is mediating the relationship between parental invalidation and BPD symptoms. A sample of N = 285 SGM-identifying participants, aged 18-64 years old, completed self-report questionnaires online that have been designed to assess parental invalidation, experiences with shame, and borderline personality symptoms. Results showed there was a direct significant positive relationship between Parental Invalidation and BPD symptoms (β=.21, p < .001) and a significant positive relationship between Parental Invalidation and Shame (β=.42, p < .001). The indirect relationship (Parental Invalidation→Shame→BPD) was also significant (β=.25, p < .001), meaning that Shame partially mediated the relationship between Parental Invalidation and BPD. These results align with previous research regarding the positive relationship between shame and SGM-identifying individuals, as well as shame and development of BPD. These results also suggest shame is an important risk factor for BPD symptoms in the SGM population.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Washburn University