The influence of personality disorder on outcome in adolescent self-harm

Ayodeji, E ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1262-944X 2015, 'The influence of personality disorder on outcome in adolescent self-harm' , British Journal of Psychiatry, 207 (4) , pp. 313-319.

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Abstract

Background:
Little is currently known about the presence and impact of personality disorder in adolescents who self-harm.

Aims:
To evaluate personality disorder in repeated self-harm in adolescence and its impact on self-harm psychopathology and adaptation outcomes over 1 year.

Method:
A clinical referral sample (n = 366) of adolescents presenting with repeated self-harm aged 12–17 years, as part of a randomised controlled trial (Assessment of Treatment in Suicidal Teenagers study, ASSIST). Personality disorder was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II (SCID-II). One-year outcomes included frequency and severity of repeat self-harm, self-reported suicidality, mood and functional impairment.

Results:
About 60% of the referred adolescents showed one or more forms of personality disorder. Personality disorder was associated with significantly greater severity of self-harm, overall psychopathology and impairment. There was a complex association with treatment adherence. Personality disorder predicted worse 1-year outcomes in relation to self-harm frequency and severity, as well as impairment, suicidality and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:
Personality disorder can be reliably measured in adolescence and showed high prevalence in this clinical self-harm sample. Controlling for other variables, it showed a strong independent association with self-harm severity at referral and predicted adherence to treatment and clinical outcomes (independent of treatment) over 1 year. Consideration of personality disorder diagnosis is indicated in the assessment and management of adolescents who repeatedly self-harm.

Item Type:	Article
Schools:	Schools > School of Health and Society
Journal or Publication Title:	British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher:	Maney Publishing
ISSN:	0007-1250
Related URLs:	Publication
Funders:	Non funded research
Depositing User:	E Ayodeji
Date Deposited:	01 Dec 2015 16:13
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2022 20:02
URI:	https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/37280

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