The Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Borderline Personality Features in Adolescents with Depression: The Mediating Role of Reflective Functioning

Abstract

Objective: To examine the mediating role of reflective functioning in adolescents with depression between childhood trauma and borderline personality features. Methods: In September–October 2025, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 260 adolescents with depression at the Xi'an Mental Health Center. The instruments used included the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, the Adolescent Borderline Personality Traits Questionnaire, and the Adolescent Reflective Functioning Questionnaire. A total of 244 valid questionnaires were collected. Results: Childhood trauma and borderline personality features showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.397, P < 0.01). Childhood trauma showed a significant negative correlation with reflective functioning (r = -0.206, P < 0.01). Reflective functioning exhibited a significant negative correlation with borderline personality features (r = -0.526, P < 0.01). Reflective functioning mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and borderline personality features in adolescents with depression. Conclusion: Childhood trauma not only directly influences the development of borderline personality features in adolescents with depression but also indirectly affects this development through reflective functioning.