The Role of Gender in Borderline Personality Disorder

NCT07639957 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: S-193/202610.17605/OSF.IO/XWRHJ
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study is a mixed-methods, single-arm cross-sectional study comprising 1) a qualitative, exploratory, critical-constructivist content analysis examining the significance of gender in relationship experiences and self-perception among individuals with borderline personality disorder and various gender identities, and 2) a pilot study on the use of the Single-Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IATs, adapted from von Hippel et al., 2018) as preparation for a larger-scale experimental psychological study using the SC-IAT to assess implicit gender- and BPD-related thought processes in people with borderline personality disorder and various gender identities. 15 individuals with BPD and different gender identities will be assessed. The research questions are:

1. 1.What gender-related relationship- and self-experiences can be identified in people with BPD? How do experiences relate to observer-coded and self-reported mentalization ability, as well as self-reported symptoms, experiences of stigmatization, and quality of life?
2. 2.Is there preliminary evidence that Single-Category Implicit Association Tests (SC-IATs) are suitable and reliable instruments for measuring implicit gender- and BPD-related thought processes in people with BPD?

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Keywords

Borderline Personality Disorder; Gender; Grounded Theory; Implicit Association Test

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Role of Gender in BPD

  Categories and themes derived from Grounded Theory qualitative content analysis of semi-structured interviews with individuals diagnosed with BPD, capturing experiences of gender in relation to self and interpersonal relationships including structural power dynamics

  At baseline

• SC-IAT score

  D-score derived from SC-IAT reaction times (ratio of mean reaction times between experimental blocks), reflecting the strength of implicit associations.

  At baseline

• SC-IAT Stimulus Accuracy

  Proportion of correct responses per stimulus and proportion of correct responses across all trials.

  At baseline

• SC-IAT Internal Consistency

  Internal consistency of each SC-IAT, assessed via split-half reliability or comparable coefficient.

  At baseline

• Intercorrelation of SC-IAT D-Scores

  Correlation coefficients between D-scores across SC-IAT versions, assessed as indicator of multicollinearity.

  At baseline

Secondary Outcomes (7)

• Correlations Between Qualitative Category Frequencies and Psychosocial Construct Scores

  At baseline

• SC-IAT Administration Duration

  At baseline

• SC-IAT Convergent Validity

  At baseline

• SC-IAT Participant Acceptance

  At baseline

• Exploratory Correlations Between SC-IAT D-Scores and Psychosocial Construct Scores

  At baseline

Other Outcomes (13)

• Mentalization Questionnaire

  At baseline

• Mentalizing Gender Experience Questionnaire

  At baseline

• Certainty of Mental States Questionnaire

  At baseline

Study Arms (1)

Individuals with BPD and different gender identities

Equal distribution of cis female, cis male and trans\* and/or gender nonconforming individuals is aimed for

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: all, however, recruitment will be theoratically sampled so that different gender identity groups are equally represented (cis female, TGNC, cis male)
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The majority of recruitment takes place among participants in the study "Mentalization-based treatment versus bona-fide treatment for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder in Germany (MAGNET): a prospective, multi-center randomized controlled trial" (S-493/2023). Only those participants who indicated in the MAGNET study consent form that they consent to being contacted for further studies and have not withdrawn this consent will be contacted. In addition, individuals with diverse gender identities may be recruited through the Institute for Psychosocial Prevention and Psychotherapy at Heidelberg University Hospital using flyers (posted at the institute, on the website, and distributed during initial consultations)

You may qualify if:

• Signed informed consent form
• Individuals of all genders (target: n=5 with female gender identity, n=5 with nonbinary/trans\*/gender-non-conforming (TGNC) gender identity, n=5 with male gender identity) between the ages of 18 and 65 at the time of consent
• Individuals with a BPD diagnosis made within the last 2 years (ICD-10: F60.3; DSM-5: 301.83, ICD-11: Borderline qualifier)
• Understanding of the study procedure, ability and willingness to participate
• The participant is able to read and understand the informed consent form and can provide a written, personally signed, and dated informed consent form.

You may not qualify if:

• Acute suicidal ideation or acute psychotic symptoms reported by the patient or suspected
• Insufficient language skills (i.e., knowledge of German or English)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital Heidelberg: lead

Study Sites (1)

Institute for Psychosocial Prevention and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Heidelberg

Heidelberg, 69115, Germany

RECRUITING

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Related Links

• Open Science Framework Registration

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Borderline Personality Disorder; Coitus

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personality Disorders; Mental Disorders; Sexual Behavior; Behavior

Study Officials

• Sophie Hauschild, Dr.

  Institute for Psychosocial Prevention and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Heidelberg

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Sophie Hauschild, Dr.

CONTACT

+49 6221 56 5662; sophie.hauschild@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. phil. Sophie Hauschild

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 22, 2026
• First Posted: June 10, 2026
• Study Start: May 29, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: June 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF, CSR, ANALYTIC CODE

Locations

DE (1)