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.