Brief Communication: Differences Between Ethnic Groups in Demographic and Clinical Features of Patients Admitted and Assessed After Deliberate Self-Harm: a Retrospective Case-Note Study

Differences between ethnic groups in the demographic & clinical features of patients admitted after episodes of deliberate self-harm & who were subsequently assessed were investigated. A retrospective case note study of 297 cases was done with completion of a standardized data collection instrument. Asian patients were more likely to be female, married, & cite problems with their partner as a precipitant. The indigenous group were more likely to have previous contact with psychiatric services, to have used alcohol preceding the deliberate self-harm, & to have a criminal record. A case-control study is warranted to examine these differences in more detail. (9 refs.)