Suicidal and Deliberate Self-harm Ideation Among Patients With Physical Illness: the Role of Coping Styles

The relationship between coping styles & suicidal ideation or deliberate self-harm among 415 adult male inpatients was examined. Patients with & without suicidal ideation, & with & without deliberate self-harm, were compared on coping styles. 16% of patients had suicidal ideation & 18.3% had deliberate self-harm. Suicidal ideation was linked with higher scores on emotional coping & low scores on avoidance coping strategies, compared with those without suicidal ideation. Deliberate self-harm, compared with those without it, was associated with higher scores on avoidance coping styles. (24 refs)