Emotional Dysregulation and Sexual Risk Behavior in Individuals With Borderline Personality Disorder: Interactions With Psychological Pain, Impulsivity, Anxiety, and Depression

The aim of this study was to assess emotional dysregulation (ED) and sexual risk behavior (SRB) in borderline personality disorder (BPD) and to investigate the relationship between ED, SRB and other clinical variables. Sixty-one women with BPD and 76 healthy controls (HCs) completed: SRB Scale, DERS, Inventory of Statements About Self-Injury, SUPPS-P, HADS, Mental Pain Scale, and BPD Checklist. The BPD group exhibited higher levels of ED, SRB, psychological pain, anxiety, depression, and impulsivity than the HCs. In the BPD group, significant correlations were found between ED, SRB, and psychological pain, impulsivity, and specific dimensions of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). To identify predictors of SRB, stepwise multiple regression analysis was used. The BPD model included five significant predictors accounting for 65% variability: number of sexual partners and age of sexual initiation, NSSI, impulsivity, and ED - lack of emotional clarity, while in HCs, it was influenced by alcohol misuse.