Psychopathology and accidental injuries.
One hundred and twelve adults admitted to a surgical ward due to accidental injuries were studied. Thirty-seven percent had a psychiatric disorder on admission (DSM-III axis I) and 21% had a personality disorder (axis 2). Substance abuse and dependence and antisocial personality disorders were most frequent. Eighteen percent were definitely distressed when injured. Persons with a personality disorder were distressed significantly more often and had sustained clinically more severe injuries. No support could be found for a hypothesis of accidental injuries being the result of hidden or unconscious self-destructive tendencies, and only one patient was injured in a suicide attempt. Defense Mechanism Test applied to a subgroup of 20 patients suggested that high perceptual defense may be related to injury occurrence in patients at fault for the accident.
Malt
U
U
Department of Physiological Psychology, University of Bergen.
Myhrer
T
T
Blikra
G
G
Høivik
B
B
D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*