Suicidal attempts in young adults with borderline personality disorder: Examing factors in pathways to attempts.

Résumé

OBJECTIVE: This study examines predictors of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts in young adults aged 18-25 diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties were explored as potential risk factors for suicidal behavior.METHOD: A sample of 500 young adults with BPD completed self-report measures assessing emotional regulation, impulsivity, suicidal ideation, planning, and suicide attempts. Multiple regression and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify key predictors of suicidal behavior.RESULTS: Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity significantly predicted suicidal ideation and attempts, while interpersonal difficulties were more strongly linked to suicide planning. Notably, 18% of participants reported attempting suicide without prior ideation or planning, suggesting the presence of non-linear pathways to suicidal behavior.CONCLUSION: Emotional dysregulation and impulsivity are critical factors in predicting suicidal behavior in young adults with BPD. The findings highlight the need for suicide risk assessments that consider non-linear pathways and impulsive behavior in this high-risk population.