How friendships in childhood may predict future borderline personality disorder
Official title: Dysfunctional behavior with friends during middle childhood as a precursor to borderline personality pathology
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10920456 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how problems in friendships among kids aged 7 to 9, especially those with moms who have borderline personality disorder, might be early signs of developing the same condition later on, so we can find ways to help them build healthier relationships.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $176,178 |
| NIH project number | 5K01MH131755-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10920456 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 7-9, particularly those with mothers diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Children without a familial history of borderline personality disorder or those outside the specified age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how dysfunctional behaviors in friendships during middle childhood can serve as early indicators of borderline personality disorder (BPD) later in life. By focusing on children aged 7-9, particularly those with mothers who have BPD, the study aims to identify specific interpersonal features that may hinder the development of healthy friendships. The research employs multi-modal assessments to gather comprehensive data on child-friend interactions and their implications for mental health. The goal is to understand the mechanisms that contribute to the risk of developing BPD, allowing for earlier intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to early identification and prevention strategies for borderline personality disorder in at-risk youth.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that early identification of interpersonal dysfunction can lead to effective interventions, suggesting a promising avenue for this study.
Where this research is happening
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University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vanwoerden, Salome — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vanwoerden, Salome
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.