title: Impulsivity mediates the association between borderline personality pathology and body mass index.
abstract: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with obesity, a major risk factor for a number of chronic illnesses (e.g., cardiovascular disease). We examined whether impulsivity and affective instability mediate the association between BPD pathology and body mass index (BMI). Participants were a community sample of adults ages 55-64 and their informants. The Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality measured BPD symptoms and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory measured self- and informant-report impulsivity and affective instability. Mediation analyses demonstrated that only higher self-report impulsivity significantly mediated the association between greater BPD pathology and higher BMI. A subsequent model revealed that higher scores on the impulsiveness (lack of inhibitory control) and deliberation (planning) facets of impulsivity mediated the BPD-BMI association, with impulsiveness exerting a stronger mediation effect than deliberation. Obesity interventions that improve inhibitory control may be most effective for individuals with BPD pathology.
authors: Washington University in St. Louis, Psychology Department, Campus Box 1125, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
authors: Juliette M
authors: JM
authors: Iacovino
authors: Washington University in St. Louis, Psychology Department, Campus Box 1125, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
authors: Abigail D
authors: AD
authors: Powers
authors: Washington University in St. Louis, Psychology Department, Campus Box 1125, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA.
authors: Thomas F
authors: TF
authors: Oltmanns
keywords: Affective instability; Body mass index; Borderline personality disorder; Emotion dysregulation; Impulsivity; Inhibitory control; Obesity; Personality pathology