Interpersonal stressors in individuals with personality disorders who die by suicide

Abstract

Objective

To explore the characteristics and prevalence of interpersonal stressors prior to suicide in individuals with personality disorders compared to individuals without personality disorders.

Methods

Records at the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario were reviewed to identify suicide decedents with personality disorders (n = 105) and without personality disorders (n = 5183) in Toronto, Ontario (1998–2020). Coroner charts were coded for demographic data, interpersonal stressors, mental health history, and other suicide-related characteristics. Chi-square comparisons were conducted to examine stressors, and all other suicide-related characteristics associated with suicide across both groups.

Results

Suicide decedents with personality disorders (M = 38.4 years ± 14.6, 48% female, 90.5% single) had higher interpersonal conflict than those without personality disorders (OR: 1.72, 95% CI [1.09–2.71]). Other interpersonal stressors, including a recent relationship breakup were not different between groups. Additional analyses showed that the personality disorder group was younger, and had a greater proportion of females, single individuals, and those with previous suicide attempts.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that those with personality disorders had a higher prevalence of interpersonal conflict, but not other interpersonal stressors prior to suicide compared to those without personality disorders. Suicide decedents with personality disorders were primarily in low-risk demographic groups (i.e., females and younger people).