UNIQUE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER FEATURES AND SUICIDE IDEATION AND ATTEMPTS IN ADOLESCENTS

Suicide-related behaviors are a significant public health concern among adolescents, and research is greatly needed to identify risk factors for these behaviors in this age group. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) features are one such factor that may help predict suicide risk in adolescents. In adults, BPD features are related to negative outcomes, including suicidal behavior. However, much less is known about this association in adolescents. The current study examined which specific facets of BPD relate to suicidal ideation and attempts in an adolescent psychiatric inpatient sample. Results indicated that the affective instability facet of BPD was uniquely related to suicidal ideation and attempts, even when controlling for general negative emotionality. Moreover, greater affective instability significantly differentiated suicide ideators from attempters. These findings are consistent with adult BPD research and with Linehan's biosocial theory of BPD, suggesting that affective instability is a central BPD feature that leads to the behavioral dysregulation observed in the disorder.