NCJ Number
194771
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2002 Pages: 49-55
Date Published
2002
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study explored the relationships between borderline personality disorder (BPD), childhood abuse (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, and witnessing violence) and self-harm behavior.
Abstract
Certain types of childhood abuse are associated with BPD, and they have been researched and documented among the psychiatric population. Two of the nine diagnostic criteria for BPD involve self-harm; this had already been noted in the research. The 77 psychiatric patients who participated in this study were in an acute-care psychiatry unit of an urban hospital. The patients were over 18 and cognitively intact. Researchers assessed childhood abuse (prior to age 15) by asking questions that required a yes or no response. Self-harm behavior was measured with a 22-item yes/no self-report questionnaire. The results showed that, with the exception of witnessing violence, childhood abuse was associated with BPD and self-harm behaviors. Furthermore, the more abuses experienced during childhood, the greater the number of self-harm behaviors inflicted. Yet, a finding requiring further study was that multiple forms of abuse did not inevitably result in more severe BPDs. Given the amount of money spent on treating BPD patients, and since research indicates that BPD is a function of childhood abuse, it seems prudent that more aggressive and preventive measures be undertaken. Tables, references