The psychopathology of incarcerated self-mutilators.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the symptomatology of severe psychopathology reported by male incarcerated self-multilators.


METHODS
Comparisons were made with a nonmutilating incarcerated group and a nonincarcerated, nonmutilator group.


RESULTS
A distinctive pattern of symptomatology emerged. Self-mutilators evidenced a wide range of elevated scores on general measures of psychological/psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression and hostility. Aspects of hostility that distinguished self-mutilators for other groups included the urge to act out hostile feelings, critical feelings towards others, paranoid feelings of hostility and guilt. Self-mutilators demonstrated substantial problems with substance abuse, particularly alcohol.


CONCLUSIONS
A pattern of passive-aggressive, schizoid and avoidant personality styles distinguished self-mutilators from other groups.
Haines
J
J
Department of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Australia.
Williams
C L
CL
Brain
K L
KL
D000184:Acting Out; D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006167:Guilt; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment