A Systematic Review of the Association Between Early Childhood Trauma and Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a debilitating clinical disorder associated with adverse impacts on multiple levels. While a high prevalence of childhood trauma has been noted, the ways such trauma impacts the development of BPD symptomatology remain unclear. In this systematic review, the authors examine the literature from 2000 to 2020, focusing on the association between trauma and BPD, and offer a comprehensive synthesis of possible etiological implications related to either one specific or multiple trauma types. In addition, results are analyzed based on commonly tested trauma parameters, including repeated exposure, polytrauma, onset, perpetrators, and gender. The authors also note some limitations in areas of sampling, measurement, causal inference methods, and data analyses. Results of this review point to several parameters of trauma that can be used to inform training for practitioners as well as enhance current interventions.