The current study examined the relationship between borderline personality features, relationship-contingent self-esteem, and mate retention behaviors. Participants (N = 204) were recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). They completed the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Relationship-Contingent Self-Esteem Scale, and the Mate Retention Inventory-Short Form. Participants then received feedback through the modified Future Alone Manipulation, where they were randomly assigned to one of three feedback conditions: positive, negative, or negative control. After the feedback, participants completed the Mate Retention Inventory-Short Form to assess their response to feedback. Contrary to our predictions, borderline personality features (BPF) were not correlated with relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE), and RCSE and threat did not moderate the relationship between BPF and mate retention behaviors (MRB). Consistent with our hypotheses, BPF predicted the used of cost-inflicting MRB. Interestingly, RCSE predicted the use of benefit-provisioning MRB. This research is the first to address the relationship between BPF and RCSE and provides insight into individuals differences in relationship behaviors.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with a number of relationship processes. To expand on this, relationship between borderline personality features (BPF; i.e., a non-clinical assessment of BPD) and mate retention was explored. In the first study, we investigated the relationship between BPF, relationship-contingent self-esteem (RCSE), and mate retention behaviors. We also tested whether threat to the relationship moderated this relationship. It was found that borderline traits predicted cost-inflicting mate retention behaviors, whereas RCSE predicted benefit-provisioning mate retention behaviors. In the second study, we explored the dyadic effects of BPF on mate retention strategies across 256 couples. Notably, partner effects emerged for BPF on cost-inflicting behaviors. Together, these studies provide insight to the relationship functioning of those with BPF.