The Hartmann Boundary Questionnaire: Two Studies Examining Personality Correlates and Interpersonal Behavior

Abstract

These studies investigated the relationship between the Boundary Questionnaire (BQ) [1] and measures of object relations (e.g., insecure attachment), interpersonal dependency, trait affect, and interpersonal behavior among undergraduate students. Study 1 (N = 300) examined the association between the BQ and four dimensions of object relations and two dimensions of interpersonal dependency, revealing predicted correlations with thin boundaries. Subsequent stepwise multiple regression revealed that insecure attachment was singly predictive of thinner boundary score. Study 2 (N = 75) was designed as a replication and extension, assessing the same dimensions along with measures of trait affect. Results revealed that thinness was related to trait anxiety, insecure attachment, and interpersonal dependency, respectively. Subjects also participated in a semi-structured interview assessing three dimensions of interpersonal behavior, demonstrating an association between thinner boundary score and interviewer-rated openness, comfort, and positive valence. Stepwise multiple regression revealed that openness and insecure attachment respectively predicted boundary score, accounting for 31% of the variance. These data provide further construct validation for the BQ, and for the concept of thick vs. thin boundaries as a broad personality dimension.