Causal Model of the Relationship Between Borderline Personality Disorder, Frustration Tolerance, and Rejection Sensitivity with Impulsive Criminal Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Trait Anger and Substance Use

Abstract

Impulsive criminal behaviors are among the most complex high-risk behaviors influenced by personality, emotional, and interpersonal factors and may lead to serious psychological and social consequences. The present study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between borderline personality disorder, frustration tolerance, and rejection sensitivity with impulsive criminal behaviors through the mediating roles of trait anger and substance use. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design using structural equation modeling. The statistical population included individuals with histories of risky and impulsive behaviors referred to counseling and rehabilitation centers in Tehran in 2025, from whom 420 participants were selected using purposive sampling. Research instruments included the Borderline Personality Scale, Frustration Tolerance Scale, Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire, Trait Anger Scale, Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS-27 and AMOS-26 through Pearson correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and bootstrapping procedures. The results indicated that borderline personality disorder, low frustration tolerance, and rejection sensitivity had significant direct effects on impulsive criminal behaviors (P<0.001). Trait anger and substance use also played significant mediating roles in the relationships between predictor variables and impulsive criminal behaviors. Model fit indices including CFI=0.95, GFI=0.93, and RMSEA=0.058 demonstrated satisfactory model fit. Trait anger showed the strongest direct effect on impulsive criminal behaviors. The findings demonstrated that borderline personality features, low frustration tolerance, and sensitivity to social rejection increase the likelihood of impulsive criminal behaviors through elevated chronic anger and substance use tendencies. Therefore, interventions focused on emotion regulation, anger management, frustration tolerance enhancement, and substance abuse treatment may effectively reduce impulsive and violent behaviors.