Spending too much: Relationships with borderline personality symptomatology

Abstract

Objective. Few studies have examined spending behaviors in individuals with borderline personality symptomatology (BPS) – the focus of the present study. Method. Summing four cross-sectional samples totaling 1122 consecutive patients being seen in an internal medicine clinic, and using a self-report survey methodology, we examined relationships between excessive spending and BPS, using two measures for this Axis II disorder. Results. The endorsement of excessive spending demonstrated statistically significant correlations with both measures of BPS (0.40 and 0.49), and individuals who exceeded the established cut-off scores on both measures were statistically significantly more likely to endorse excessive spending. Conclusions. Excessive spending demonstrates empirical relationships with BPS and appears to be a clinical area of inquiry in BPS regarding self-regulation difficulties.

Key Words::

• borderline personality
• money
• Self-Harm Inventory
• spending

Acknowledgements

None.

Statement of Interest

None to declare.