Predicting Borderline Personality Symptoms in Students Based on Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies: The Moderating Role of Neuroticism

The aim of this study was to predict borderline personality symptoms based on cognitive emotion regulation strategies, considering the moderating role of neuroticism in students. The research design was correlational. The statistical population of the study was all students of Payame Noor University of Najafabad in the academic year of 2019-20. Among them, 300 students were selected using convenience sampling method and answered the short form of NEO-FFI, Cognitive Emotion Regulation, and Borderline personality traits (Schizotypal Trait Questionnaire-B form) Questionnaires. Multiple regression with SPSS-24 software and structural equation modeling with AMOS-24 software were used to analyze the research data. To investigate the moderating effect, the model proposed by Arbuckle (2016) was followed. The results of regression analysis showed that adaptive and maladaptive strategies of cognitive emotion regulation are able to predict borderline personality symptoms in students. The results of structural equation modeling to investigate the moderating effect also showed that neuroticism is able to moderate the relationships between adaptive strategies and borderline personality symptoms. In general, these findings support the role of personality traits in applying emotion regulation strategies and setting the stage for mental health problems, especially borderline personality symptoms.