Borderline personality disorder and suicidal tendencies in adolescents by gender conformity level

Abstract

In press

The article examines borderline disorder and suicidal tendencies in adolescence through the lens of gender conformity, a factor that strongly influences personality development, self-concept, and psychosocial adjustment. Adolescence is a sensitive stage when identity formation and belonging to a social group gain particular importance. The empirical study involved 83 participants (38 boys and 45 girls) of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, ensuring variability and allowing a nuanced understanding of how deviations from accepted gender norms relate to psychological vulnerability. This heterogeneity enabled analysis of the relationship between gender conformity and indicators of emotional stability, resilience, and mental health. To obtain reliable data, a set of psychodiagnostic tools was applied, including Klein’s Grid Test, the Borderline Disorder Questionnaire Form "A", and the Suicide Risk Assessment Scale. Results showed that adolescents with low gender conformity significantly more often displayed impulsivity, stronger self-harming tendencies, difficulties coping with loneliness, and more pronounced suicidal inclinations compared with their heterosexual peers. Statistically significant correlations were found between the degree of gender nonconformity and the severity of borderline disorder symptoms and suicidal risk, emphasizing the close link between social identity factors and mental health. These findings confirm the importance of addressing psychological vulnerability among gender-nonconforming youth. The practical significance lies in developing targeted psychological support, preventive interventions, and assistance strategies to reduce maladaptation risks while strengthening coping mechanisms and resilience. Such inclusive programs, sensitive to identity-related challenges, can play a crucial role in fostering social integration and improving adolescents’ mental well-being during this formative stage.

Keywords: adolescence, gender, conformity, self-injurious behavior, maladjustment.