Experiences of abuse and neglect were assessed in 24 adults diagnosed as
having borderline personality disorder according to the Diagnostic
Interview for Borderline Patients and in 18 depressed control subjects
without borderline disorder. Significantly more of the borderline patients
than depressed patients reported childhood sexual abuse, abuse by more than
one person, and both sexual and physical abuse. There were no between-group
differences for rates of neglect or physical abuse without sexual abuse. A
stepwise logistic regression revealed that derealization, diagnostic group,
and chronic dysphoria were the best predictors of childhood sexual abuse in
this group of patients.Abstract Teaser