Behavioral Disciplines and Activities Commons^™

Recent Life Events Preceding Suicide Attempts In A Personality Disorder Sample: Findings From The Collaborative Longitudinal Personality Disorders Study, Shirley Yen, Maria E. Pagano, M. Tracie Shea, Carlos M. Grilo, John G. Gunderson, Andrew E. Skodol, Thomas H. Mcglashan, Charles A. Sanislow, Donna S. Bender, Mary C. Zanarini

Charles A. Sanislow, Ph.D.

Few studies have examined the relationship between life events, suicide attempts, and personality disorders (PDs), in spite of the strong associations between PDs and suicidal behavior, and the poor coping strategies often exhibited by these individuals. The authors examined whether participants with PDs who attempted suicide during the first 3 years of a prospective, longitudinal study were more likely to experience specific life events in the month during and preceding the suicide attempt. Of 489 participants with PDs, 61 attempted suicide during the 3-year, follow-up interval. Results indicated that negative life events, particularly those pertaining to love-marriage or crime-legal matters, …