Prevalence and Predictors of Physically Self-Destructive Acts over Time

Self-mutilation and help-seeking suicide threats and attempts are among the few almost pathognomonic symptoms of BPD. This chapter assesses predictors of self-harm and reasons for self-harm over time. It also assesses predictors of suicide threats and attempts over the years of prospective follow-up. Each outcome has a different set of multivariate predictors, but some appear in several multivariate models. More specifically, sexual adversity in childhood and adulthood, major depression, and severity of dissociation are predictors of self-mutilation; and sexual adversity in adulthood, major depression, and severity of dissociation are predictors of suicide attempts. However, these factors do not play a role in predicting suicide threats. Instead, two dysphoric affective states and two outmoded interpersonal survival strategies are the best set of predictors of suicide threats.