Structural violence and the effects of the patriarchal structure on the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BDP): A critical study using tools on BPD symptoms and social violence

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between borderline personality disorder (BPD) symptoms, measured using the Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23), and experiences of covert social violence, assessed via the Inventory of Covert Social Violence Against Women (IVISEM) and an open-ended survey given to 99 adults diagnosed with BPD. Quantitative data revealed significant emotional intensity, with a mean BSL-23 score of 56.81 (SD = 20.31), and a positive correlation (r = 0.29, p < 0.0034) between symptom severity and the number of self-reported disorders. The qualitative analysis highlighted themes of ‘Stigmatization and Structural Violence’ and ‘Gender Expectations’, with 62.9% of participants reporting that their emotions were pathologized as hormonal or exaggerated. The results highlight the significant emotional intensity in participants, particularly related to shame and vulnerability, suggesting these emotions are linked to structural violence perpetuated by patriarchal norms, including covert social violence. Biological explanations for emotionality, such as references to “hormonal” changes and “menstruation”, reinforce the idea that women’s intense emotions are natural, overlooking broader societal and structural factors. The results underscore the impact of the patriarchal structure, emphasizing the need for psychological approaches that address both the symptoms of BPD and the impact of societal and structural violence on women’s emotional health. The study sample underscores the main idea of the study: BPD is predominantly diagnosed in women, which underlines the need to rethink diagnostic tools and professional interventions. These results highlight the need for a feminist critique of the BSL-23 by showing how emotional symptoms are often interpreted through a gendered lens, emphasizing the importance of re-evaluating diagnostic tools to address the impact of societal and structural violence on women’s mental health.