Aim and Background: One of the principal formulations of borderline personality disorder is based on object relations theory and cognitive schemas. The role of cognitive schemas and object relations in personality disorders has been of interest among the researchers and therapists. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between object relations and early maladaptive schemas with borderline personality syndrome among the students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive correlational research. The statistical population included all the students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences. From them, 310 university students were selected via convenience sampling method. Bell Object Relations Inventory (BORI), Young Schema Questionnaire-Short form (SYQ-SF), and the Claridge and Broks Borderline Personality Questionnaire were administered among the selected sample. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and Stepwise regression analysis. Findings: There was a significant relationship between object relations and early maladaptive schemas with borderline personality syndrome among the studied students. Regression analysis indicated that among the components of object relations, egocentrism and social incompetence in total explained 23% of the variance of borderline personality syndrome; and among the components of early maladaptive schemas, abandonment, incompetence, defectiveness/shame, self-sacrifice, and emotional inhibition in total explained 36% of the variance of borderline personality syndrome. Conclusions: According to the findings of the research, it can be said that object relations and maladaptive schemas play an important role in the prediction of borderline syndrome; and it seems necessary to consider them for the prevention and treatment of borderline personality.

Keywords: Object relations, Students, Borderline personality disorder

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