RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The Role of Gender in Borderline Personality Disorder

This study aims to understand how gender plays a role in the lives of people with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). It will explore how individuals with BPD and different gender identities experience relationships and view themselves. Researchers will also test a new way to measure unconscious thoughts related to gender and BPD. The goal is to see if this new method is suitable for a larger study in the future. This research hopes to shed light on how BPD affects people uniquely based on their gender, helping to improve understanding and support for everyone living with this condition.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University Hospital Heidelberg

Enrolment target

Start

29 May 2026

Estimated completion

31 Mar 2027

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

What is this study about?

This research is looking into how being a man, woman, or non-binary person might affect someone's experience with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). BPD is a condition that can make emotions, relationships, and how you see yourself feel very unstable. We know that people with BPD often face unfair judgments and negative ideas from others, which can be very upsetting and impact their mental health. Sometimes, these negative ideas are linked to old ways of thinking about gender.

Historically, more women have been diagnosed with BPD in clinics, which might have led to some misunderstandings about how the condition affects all genders. This study wants to understand the experiences of a range of people with BPD — men, women, and those who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming. It will specifically look at how their gender might shape their relationships and how they feel about themselves.

The study also aims to try out a new tool that can help scientists understand people's unconscious thoughts about gender and BPD. This tool could be very useful for future, bigger studies. By understanding these different experiences, we hope to improve how BPD is understood and supported for everyone, regardless of their gender.

Key takeaways

Explores how gender impacts experiences with BPD.
Aims to understand relationship and self-perception.
Tests a new tool for unconscious thoughts about BPD and gender.
Involves one, short visit (a few hours).
No medication, no follow-up, and you can withdraw anytime.
Seeking adults (18-65) with a recent BPD diagnosis from all gender identities.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 65 years old. You must have received a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) within the last two years. We're looking for people of all gender identities – women, men, and those who identify as non-binary or gender non-conforming.

It's important that you can understand the study information and are willing to take part. You also need to be able to read and sign a consent form, which gives your permission to participate.

However, you won't be able to join if you are currently having serious thoughts about harming yourself, or if you are experiencing symptoms like hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there). You also need to be able to speak either German or English well enough to understand and answer questions.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Have you been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in the last two years?
Do you identify as female, male, non-binary, or another gender identity?
Do you speak and understand either English or German?
Are you able to understand and sign consent forms?
Are you currently not experiencing severe thoughts of harming yourself or psychotic symptoms?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will have one main visit. During this visit, you'll be asked to share your experiences and feelings about relationships and how you see yourself. The researchers will also use a special computer-based test that looks at how you connect certain words or ideas. This test is designed to understand some of your unconscious thoughts about gender and BPD. The entire visit is expected to last a few hours. There are no medications involved in this study, and no follow-up visits are planned.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer you some benefits, such as contributing to a better understanding of BPD and gender, which could help others in the future. There are minimal risks involved, but some questions might bring up uncomfortable feelings. You have the right to stop participating at any point, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Institute for Psychosocial Prevention and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Heidelberg
Verified postcode
Heidelberg, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?

BPD is a mental health condition that can make emotions, relationships, and how you view yourself feel very unstable.

What is the purpose of this study?

The study aims to understand how gender affects people's experiences with BPD and to test a new way of measuring unconscious thoughts about BPD and gender.

Will I have to take any medication?

No, this study does not involve any medication. It focuses on your experiences and thought processes.

How long will my participation take?

Your participation will involve one visit, which is expected to last a few hours.

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you are free to withdraw from the study at any point without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Sophie Hauschild, Dr.

sophie.hauschild@med.uni-heidelberg.de +49 6221 56 5662 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.