Cultural Influences on Help-Seeking and Interpersonal Behaviors among Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder: a Cross-Cultural Perspective

Abstract

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) adolescents generally experience unstable emotions, interpersonal conflicts, and self-injurious intentions, but usually avoid seeking psychological help, which increases clinical risks. Through the literature review approach and analysis of empirical research, this paper indicates that Western culture emphasizes individual expression and independence, and BPD adolescents are more likely to exhibit impulsive and high-risk behaviors, but stigma will significantly delay help-seeking behaviors. While Eastern culture values family responsibility and collective harmony, BPD adolescents tend to suppress their emotions and fall into dependence and isolation due to a shame culture context and role confusion. Research results indicate that cultural factors significantly affect the symptoms and intervention of BPD adolescents. The research findings suggest that cross-cultural comparison enriches cultural psychology theories and provides a culturally sensitive clinical diagnosis and intervention pathway. This paper emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural comparison and proposes the importance of introducing cultural sensitivity in diagnosis and intervention.