Over the years, borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been conceptualized in a variety of ways. However, recent research has consistently found that a history of childhood sexual abuse may affect its development. Role of Sexual Abuse in the Etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder explores the most recent advances regarding this highly controversial disorder, presenting the research and expertise of 26 distinguished contributors. This book provides both the factual and the historical contexts of sexual abuse in BPD. It presents the latest findings regarding the impact of traumatic childhood experiences on the development of BPD. This new generation of research is unique in that it assesses a range of pathological childhood experiences rather than focusing solely on the parameters of abuse. This book covers many topics, including evolving perspectives on the etiology of BPD, childhood factors associated with the development of BPD, and the relationship between self-destructive behavior and pathological childhood experiences in BPD. In addition, highly regarded clinicians in this area describe useful clinical approaches to the treatment of borderline patients with an abuse history. This volume offers invaluable information for clinicians treating borderline patients with or without an abuse history.