Active versus reactive cooperativeness in Borderline Psychopathology: A dissection based on the HEXACO model of personality

•Borderline Psychopathology has been linked to low Agreeableness and cooperativeness.•It is entirely open whether active or reactive cooperativeness is impaired.•Based on the HEXACO model we show a selective pattern of associations.•Borderline Psychopathology yields low reactive but intact active cooperativeness.•Interventions should thus specifically target forgivingness and non-retaliation.

The concept of personality disorders (PDs) is shifting from categorical to dimensional, conceptualizing PDs as maladaptive variants of basic personality traits. The Agreeableness trait in the Five Factor Model of personality classically represents dispositional cooperativeness, which is associated with PDs characterized by interpersonal impairments. However, recent research designates two separate dispositional tendencies: active and reactive cooperativeness. Using the HEXACO model of personality we assessed traits representing these tendencies (Honesty–Humility and Agreeableness) and investigated their relation to Borderline features in 602 individuals. Borderline features were associated with low Agreeableness scores, representing low reactive cooperation, entailing a tendency to retaliate. Yet, there was no association with Honesty–Humility, implying intact active cooperativeness and non-exploitation. These findings extend prior results on the relation between Borderline PD and basic personality dimensions driving prosocial behavior. Implications for the understanding of interpersonal problems in PDs and the refinement of existing therapies are discussed.