The Role of Gender in Borderline Personality Disorder

Recruiting now

Conditions studied: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

In brief

This study is a mixed-methods, single-arm cross-sectional study comprising 1) a qualitative, exploratory, critical-constructivist content analysis examining the significance of gender in relationship experiences and self-perception among individuals with borderline personality disorder and various gender identities, and 2) a pilot study on the use of the Single-Category Implicit Association Test (SC-IATs, adapted from von Hippel et al., 2018) as preparation for a larger-scale experimental psychological study using the SC-IAT to assess implicit gender- and BPD-related thought processes in people with borderline personality disorder and various gender identities. 15 individuals with BPD and different gender identities will be assessed. The research questions are: 1. What gender-related relationship- and self-experiences can be identified in people with BPD? How do experiences relate to observer-coded and self-reported mentalization ability, as well as self-reported symptoms, experiences of stigmatization, and quality of life? 2. Is there preliminary evidence that Single-Category Implicit Association Tests (SC-IATs) are suitable and reliable instruments for measuring implicit gender- and BPD-related thought processes in people with BPD?

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07639957

Run by

University Hospital Heidelberg

People needed

15

Starts

2026-05-29

Expected to finish

2027-03-31

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-10

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 65. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Signed informed consent form
• Individuals of all genders (target: n=5 with female gender identity, n=5 with nonbinary/trans*/gender-non-conforming (TGNC) gender identity, n=5 with male gender identity) between the ages of 18 and 65 at the time of consent
• Individuals with a BPD diagnosis made within the last 2 years (ICD-10: F60.3; DSM-5: 301.83, ICD-11: Borderline qualifier)
• Understanding of the study procedure, ability and willingness to participate
• The participant is able to read and understand the informed consent form and can provide a written, personally signed, and dated informed consent form.

You may not qualify if…

• Acute suicidal ideation or acute psychotic symptoms reported by the patient or suspected
• Insufficient language skills (i.e., knowledge of German or English)

Where it is running

• Institute for Psychosocial Prevention and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Heidelberg — Heidelberg, Germany (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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