Trait Emotional Intelligence and Borderline Personality Disorder

This study explores the relationship between Trait emotional intelligence (TEI), severity of symptoms associated with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), difficulties in emotion regulation (ER), and mindfulness ability. Postal questionnaires were employed to compare these measures for those with a diagnosis of BPD and a non-clinical sample. Across the entire sample, low TEI was associated with greater BPD symptom distress, greater difficulties in ER, and decreased mindfulness ability. TEI was lower in those with a diagnosis of BPD, and TEI scores predicted BPD diagnosis with 95% accuracy. Although conclusions are tentative, TEI may offer a useful assessment and outcome measure in treatments for BPD. Future studies with a less heterogeneous and larger BPD sample are needed to explore further the links between TEI, ER, Mindfulness and BPD.

► Increased TEI is associated with less severe BPD symptoms. ► Increased TEI is associated with fewer difficulties in emotion regulation. ► Increased TEI is associated increased mindfulness ability. ► TEI predicts BPD diagnosis with 95% accuracy.