Recent Life Events, Social Adjustment, and Suicide Attempts in Patients With Major Depression and Borderline Personality Disorder

This study investigated the impact of recent life events & social adjustment on suicide attempter status in 34 patients with major depression, 24 patients with borderline personality disorder, & 22 patients with co-morbid major depression and borderline personality disorder. Suicide attempters reported more recent life events & scored lower on a measure of social adjustment in their families & overall social adjustment, compared with non-attempters. Detailed comparisons between the groups are discussed. (37 refs)