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Adolescents and young adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD) features, often experience reduced quality of life. Whereas for many young people, friendships are usually supportive, friendships in young people with BPD features can be intense and challenging. Little is known about how support from a best friend might moderate the association between BPD features and quality of life, specifically during a developmental phase when forming friendships is an important developmental task.

To examine the association between BPD features and quality of life in young people in specialized mental health care. Additionally, the moderating role of social support from a best friend in these associations is investigated.

A clinical sample of 383 adolescents and young adults aged 12-25 years old, completed questionnaires assessing BPD features, quality of life, and social support from a best friend.

Young people who reported more BPD features experienced lower quality of life. The association between BPD features and quality of life was weaker in individuals reporting more support from a best friend.

The results confirm associations between BPD features and quality of life, with social support from a best friend appearing to play a buffering role. This emphasizes the importance of a best friend in the social context of young people with BPD features.