Exploring the risk, protective factors and benefits of social media use in individuals exhibiting BPD traits: A qualitative study in a non-clinical and clinical sample.

The aim of this study is to explore how social media impacts individuals with and without Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) traits, focusing on its risks, benefits, and protective factors. The study will examine how social media contributes to emotional distress, self-harm, and identity struggles, while also identifying factors that support emotion regulation, resilience, and well-being. It is expected that the study will demonstrate a complex relationship between social media use and psychological well-being, with individuals exhibiting higher BPD traits reporting greater emotional distress, heightened social comparison, and increased sensitivity to online interactions, potentially exacerbating identity difficulties and vulnerability to self-harm. At the same time, social media is anticipated to be perceived as offering benefits such as social connection, validation, and access to mental health information, alongside protective factors including selective platform use, supportive online communities, and adaptive coping strategies. Differences between individuals with and without BPD traits, as well as between clinical and non-clinical samples, are expected to emerge. By identifying key risk and protective factors, the findings aim to inform clinically relevant, evidence-based interventions and guidance for safer and more supportive social media engagement.