Unstable childhoods linked to a spectrum of borderline traits in adulthood

Three studies across US and Israeli samples (4,993 participants total) found that adults recalling unstable, unpredictable childhood environments report higher levels of neurotic, antagonistic, disinhibited, and dissociative borderline traits. Harshness showed a weaker or more variable link, and unpredictability's association persisted across age groups and contexts. The work suggests early-life environmental stability may shape a range of borderline characteristics beyond the impact of adversity alone, though causality can’t be established and the findings are limited by self-report and nonclinical samples.