Overlapping and Differentiating Clinical Features of Autism and Borderline Personality Disorder in Women and People Assigned Female at Birth: A Cross-Sectional Study
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| Title: | Overlapping and Differentiating Clinical Features of Autism and Borderline Personality Disorder in Women and People Assigned Female at Birth: A Cross-Sectional Study |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Kirsten Barnicot (ORCID |
| Source: | Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice. 2026 30(5):1292-1304. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 13 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Autism Spectrum Disorders, Symptoms (Individual Disorders), Personality Problems, Females, Individual Characteristics, Emotional Response, Self Concept, Perceptual Impairments, Social Cognition, Behavior Problems, Conceptual Tempo, Coping, Adults, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Autism Spectrum Quotient, Social Responsiveness Scale |
| DOI: | 10.1177/13623613261431309 |
| ISSN: | 1362-3613 1461-7005 |
| Abstract: | Previous research has suggested potential phenotypic similarities between autism and borderline personality disorder (BPD). We aimed to identify overlapping and differentiating characteristics of the two diagnostic groups in women and people assigned female at birth (PAFAB). Women and PAFAB with an autism diagnosis (n = 51) or a BPD diagnosis (n = 51), who had few or subclinical traits of the comparator diagnosis, completed a range of self-report questionnaires. Emotional reactivity, emotional dysregulation, identity disruption, difficulties being alone and rejection sensitivity were significantly more characteristic of BPD-diagnosed participants, with identity disruption representing the biggest difference from autistic participants (d = -1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [-1.79, -0.92]). Autistic participants scored significantly more highly on measures of sensory processing, social cognition and behaviour, preference for sameness and repetitive motor behaviour, with sensory processing representing the biggest difference from BPD-diagnosed participants (d = 1.19, 95% CI = [0.76, 1.60]). Group differences in social cognition, social camouflaging, identity disruption, impulsivity and coping with being alone, together correctly classified 95.1% of participants (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.98). However, comparison with measure scores in previous research suggests more complex phenotypic similarities, whereby autistic individuals may show more BPD-aligned characteristics than the general population and vice versa. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1503256 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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