The Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study (CLPS): Overview and Implications

The authors review the published findings of the Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study, discuss their implications for conceptualizations of personality disorders, & raise questions that warrant future consideration. Studies confirm personality disorders constitute a significant public health problem with respect to associated functional impairment, extensive treatment utilization, negative prognostic impact on major depressive disorder, & suicide risk. During the first 2 years of follow-up, 9% of study participants reported at least one definitive suicide attempt & 44% of these had multiple suicidal behaviours. (66 refs.)