background For a long time there was controversy and reservations with regards to diagnosing borderline personality disorder (bpd) under the age of eighteen. Progress in scientific knowledge has shown that adolescence is a key phase in the understanding of the development of the disorder.
aim To contribute to the understanding of the developmental trajectory of bpd by studying associations between bpd and the interpersonal functioning in adolescence.
method To study associations between personality, cluster B personality pathology and bpd and associations between bpd and interpersonal functioning, specified in social information processing and relationship quality with parents and peers.
results Personality dimensions and social information processing, both independently and together, are related to cluster B personality pathology and bpd. Furthermore, the importance of quality of relationships with parents in relation to bpd is confirmed..
conclusion The role of social environment is complex in the development of bpd. The results underpin the interpersonal nature of bpd in adolescence as a crucial phase within the psychosocial development.