Emotional antecedents and consequences of deliberate self-harm and suicide attempts.
Emotional experiences immediately prior to (emotional antecedents) and following (emotional consequences) deliberate self-harm and suicide attempts in female inmates (N = 63) were examined. Anger was the antecedent emotion reported by the largest proportion of individuals who had engaged in deliberate self-harm (45.16%), suicide attempts (40.9%), and ambivalent suicide attempts (30%). Relief and other positive emotional shifts were more common in deliberate self-harm (41.94%) (involving no intent to die) than in suicide attempts or ambivalent suicide attempts, particularly for persons with borderline personality disorder. These findings underscore the utility of discriminating between deliberate self-harm and suicidal behavior and highlight the potential role of anger in triggering such behaviors.
Chapman
Alexander L
AL
Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada. alchapma@sfu.ca
Dixon-Gordon
Katherine L
KL
D002170:Canada; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D010555:Personality Inventory; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000209:etiology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted