Borderline Personality Features Mediate the Association Between ADHD, ODD, and Relational and Physical Aggression in Girls

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates borderline personality features (BPF) as a mediator of the association between ADHD and ODD symptoms and aggression in girls. Method: Parents of 118 girls ( Mage = 11.40 years old) with and without ADHD completed ratings of ADHD and ODD severity, and parents and youth provided ratings of physical and relational aggression. Results: ADHD, ODD, and their subfactors were significantly correlated with BPF, and these variables were associated with aggression measures. BPF fully mediated the association between total ODD symptom severity and relational and physical aggression by parent and youth report. At the subfactor level, BPF fully mediated the association between hyperactivity/impulsivity and oppositional behavior and physical and relational aggression. Conclusion: These findings add to a growing literature showing the relevance of BPF as a risk factor for poor social functioning in youth and point to the importance of continued work examining BPF among girls with ADHD and ODD.