The Mediation Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas in the Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Borderline Personality Traits

The present study aimed to determin the mediating role of early maladaptive schemas in the relationship between childhood trauma and borderline personality traits. The descriptive research method was of the correlation type (structural equations). Among the students of Islamic Azad University of Shahrood in the academic year of 2022-2023, through an internet call, 300 people were selected using available sampling method. The tools were borderline personality scale (Claridig and Blorks), childhood trauma questionnaire (Bernstein et al.) and primary maladaptive schemas questionnaire (Young). Pearson correlation test and structural equation method were used to analyze the data. The findings showed that childhood trauma had a direct and significant effect on the characteristics of borderline personality and the schemas of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, other directedness, over-vigilance and inhibition and impaired limits mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and borderline personality traits. The results showed that the model had a good fit. It is suggested that the relationship between early maladaptive schemas, childhood trauma and borderline personality traits should be taken into consideration in interventions related to students' mental health.