Sex and age differences in symptoms in borderline personality symptomatology.
OBJECTIVE
Variations in the symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) as a function of sex and age remain unclear. In this study, we examined sex and age differences with regard to various symptoms encountered in BPD.


METHODS
Using a compilation of four samples, all cross-sectional from the same recruitment site and with identical self-report measures for borderline personality symptomatology (BPS), we examined sex- and age-related differences with regard to borderline personality among 1,503 primary care patients.


RESULTS
Men and women did not differ significantly in their overall scores or rates of BPS. With regard to sex differences in symptoms among respondents with substantial BPS, engagement in sexually abusive relationships was more common among women than men. Overall scores and rates of BPS were greater among younger respondents compared to older respondents. With regard to age differences among those with substantial BPS, self-cutting and scratching were more common in younger individuals whereas finding life dull and meaningless was more common among older individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
There appear to be few overall symptomatic differences among individuals with borderline personality with regard to sex and age.
Departments of Psychiatry and Internal Medicine, Wright State University, School of Medicine , Dayton, OH , USA.
Randy A
RA
Sansone
Michael W
MW
Wiederman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000503:physiopathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
Borderline personality; Self-Harm Inventory; borderline personality disorder; self-harm behavior