Childhood Sexual Abuse Predicts Poor Outcome Seven Years After Parasuicide

The predictive value of a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder was compared to the predictive value of a history of childhood sexual abuse in terms of outcome 7 years later in Swedish patients admitted for parasuicide. Univariate regression analysis showed higher odds ratios for borderline personality disorder, female gender, & childhood sexual abuse regarding prolonged psychiatric contact & repeated parasuicides. A combined logistic regression model found significantly higher odds ratios only for childhood sexual abuse with regard to suicide ideation, repeated parasuicidal acts, & more extensive psychiatric support. (35 refs.) JA