Characteristics of Borderline Personality Disorder Associated With Suicidal Behavior

Structured interviews were used to examine the relationship between characteristics of borderline personality disorder & suicidal behaviour in 214 inpatients with borderline personality disorder. Impulsivity was the only characteristic of borderline personality disorder that was associated with a higher number of previous suicide attempts after control for lifetime diagnoses of depression & substance abuse. Childhood abuse correlated significantly with the number of lifetime suicide attempts.