Risk factors for borderline pathology in children.
OBJECTIVE
To examine risk factors associated with borderline pathology in latency-age children.


METHODS
The subjects were 98 children assessed for day treatment. Borderline subjects were identified in a chart review using the Child Diagnostic Interview for Borderlines, which divided the sample into borderline (n = 41) and nonborderline (n = 57) groups. Functional levels were assessed by Children's Global Assessment Scale scores. The risk factors were also rated by chart review; all subjects were given a cumulative abuse score and a cumulative parental dysfunction score.


RESULTS
Both groups demonstrated severe functional impairment. The risk factors that differentiated the borderline group were sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, and parental substance abuse or criminality. Sexual abuse and severe neglect were significant in multivariate analysis. Cumulative abuse and cumulative parental dysfunction scores were both higher in the borderline group.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings indicate that the risk factors in borderline children are similar to those found in adults.
Guzder
J
J
Department of Psychiatry, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Paris
J
J
Zelkowitz
P
P
Marchessault
K
K
D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D003631:Day Care, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors