Citation

Kehrer CA, Linehan MM. J. Personal. Disord. 1996; 10(2): 153-163.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Guilford Publications)

DOI

10.1521/pedi.1996.10.2.153

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the predictive relationship between interpersonal and emotional problem solving skills and parasuicide in a sample of 33 chronically parasuicidal outpatient women meeting criteria for borderline personality disorder. Subjects were assessed initially and at 4-month intervals for 1 year using a revised version of the Means-End Problem Solving Procedure (MEPS) and the Parasuicide History Interview. Inappropriate problem solving measured at the 4- and 8-month assessment points was a significant predictor of subsequent parasuicide. Both suicidal and nonsuicidal inappropriate responses predicted parasuicidal behavior. Active, passive, and self-soothing problem-solving strategies failed to predict.

RESULTS suggest the usefulness of differentiating interpersonal from emotional problem-solving and provide predictive validity for the modified MEPS Procedure. It appears that patient progress may be monitored by tracking MEPS problem-solving scores, and that treatment may benefit from directly targeting the reduction of maladaptive response patterns.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; scoring system; suicide attempt; prediction; outpatient; article; conflict; clinical article; patient monitoring; problem solving; borderline state; skill; affective neurosis