Structural Violence and the Effects of the Patriarchal Structure on the Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Critical Study Using IVISEM and BSL-23

This study explores the relationship between Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms, meas-11 ured using the BSL-23, and experiences of covert social violence, assessed via the IVISEM scale and an open-12 ended survey. Results highlight significant emotional intensity in participants, particularly related to shame 13 and vulnerability, suggesting these emotions are linked to structural violence, including covert social vio-14 lence. Biological explanations for emotionality, such as references to "hormonal" changes and "menstruation," 15 reinforce the idea that women's intense emotions are natural, overlooking broader societal factors. The results 16 increase the need for psychological approaches that address both the symptoms of BPD and the impact of 17 societal and structural violence on women's emotional health. The study sample underscores the main idea 18 of the study: BPD is predominantly diagnosed in women, which underlines the need to rethink diagnostic 19 tools and professional interventions. The qualitative data show how women's emotionality is often patholo-20 gized through gender stereotypes, with terms such as "crazy" and "intense. This suggests the importance of a 21 feminist critique of the BSL-23, advocating for a reevaluation of how emotional symptoms are interpreted, 22 considering gendered societal pressures and the impact of covert violence on women’s mental health.