| Summary: | Introduction: Sexual minorities suffer additional stress from their social position. Invalidating environments are characterized by non-acceptance of the expression of emotions and they are a risk factor for developing borderline traits. Self-compassion and social safeness can work as protective variables that activate the soothing-affiliation system, from within and around. Objective: The aim of this study was to test the mediation effect of self-compassion and social safeness in the relationship between parental invalidation and borderline traits in sexual minorities. Method: Participants were 132 Portuguese individuals of sexual minorities, with ages between 18 and 63 years old (M = 34.28, SD =11.37). Self-report questionnaires were completed using an online survey. Data were analysed through SPSS and PROCESS Macro. Results: Parental invalidation was positively correlated with borderline traits, and self compassion and social safeness were negatively correlated with parental invalidation and borderline traits. In the Multiple Linear Regression, maternal invalidation, self-compassion and social safeness were the significant predictors of borderline traits. In the mediation model the total effect was significant, showing that mother’s invalidation had a significant effect on borderline traits and part of that relationship was explained by self-compassion and social safeness. Conclusion: Parental invalidation seems to be related with borderline traits in sexual minorities. Nonetheless, feeling soothed and safe within and around seem to have an essential role between maternal invalidation and borderline symptoms. Cultivating self-compassion and balanced relationships with others in a warm and secure way seems to be positive in sexual minorities, being important processes in the development of borderline traits.
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