Background: A complex pattern of individual and environmental factors is involved in the etiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Household chaos might be a factor of importance in this interaction. Studies report a relationship between household chaos and various problem areas, some of which are also related to BPD features. It is unclear if and how these factors are correlated.
Aim: To investigate a possible association between household chaos and BPD features in adolescents and young adults. In addition, we investigated the effect of age within this association.
Method: A clinical sample of 452 adolescents and young adults, aged 12-26 completed questionnaires on household chaos and BPD features.
Results: Adolescents and young adults who experienced a higher level of household chaos, reported more BPD features. No evidence was found for an effect of age on the association between household chaos and BPD features.
Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults in a clinical population who experience a higher level of household chaos seem to report more BPD features. Age doesn’t seem to have an effect on this association. This research is a first step in understanding associations between household chaos and BPD features. In order to gain more insight in the transactions between household chaos and BPD features in adolescents and young adults, more longitudinal research is needed.