CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND EXPERIENTIAL AVOIDANCE AS PREDICTORS OF MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAMING AND BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER TRAITS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the predictive relationship of childhood trauma (CT) and experiential avoidance (EA) with maladaptive daydreaming (MD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) traits among university students. A survey-type, cross-sectional, quantitative research design was utilized in this study to investigate how these factors influence maladaptive daydreaming and borderline personality characteristics, with a total sample of 350 university students. The sample included a considerable representation from both genders, with ages above 18 years from varying educational degrees, nationwide, based on a purposive sampling technique. Participants filled out four self-report questionnaires: Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACEQ), Brief Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (BEAQ), Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16), and The Borderline Symptom List (BSL-23). Descriptive statistics, psychometric evaluation, correlation and regression hypothesis testing were conducted on the data. The findings revealed a substantial correlation, with participants having higher levels of childhood trauma (r = .66** with maladaptive daydreaming; r = .73** with borderline personality traits) and experiential avoidance (r = .57** with maladaptive daydreaming; r = .60** with borderline personality traits) exhibiting greater maladaptive daydreaming and borderline personality disorder traits. Through regression analysis, childhood trauma and experiential avoidance both emerged as significant predictors of borderline personality traits and maladaptive daydreaming, with childhood trauma (R² = 51.1% for BPD traits; R² = 44% for maladaptive daydreaming) showing stronger predictive power than experiential avoidance (R² = 36.2% for BPD traits; R² = 32.8% for maladaptive daydreaming). These findings emphasized the importance of considering early adverse experiences and avoidant emotion-regulation processes in addressing maladaptive daydreaming and borderline personality disorder characteristics among university students. The study highlighted the need for culturally adapted Acceptance and Commitment Therapy interventions in the Pakistani context, aiming to help individuals cope with the impact of trauma while reducing experiential avoidance and improving psychological flexibility. Additionally, trauma-focused interventions, Schema Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy may help address underlying trauma-related vulnerabilities and emotional difficulties associated with maladaptive daydreaming and borderline personality traits.