Comparison of Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious Behavior and Suicide Attempts in Patients Admitted to a Psychiatric Crisis Unit

This study examined differences in personality, coping skills, & select psychopathology symptoms in Belgian psychiatric patients with & without non-suicidal self-injury &/or suicide attempts. Data was collected in a sample of 128 psychiatric patients by means of self-report questionnaires. Results support a continuum of self-harm such that patients with both non-suicidal self-injury & suicide attempts exhibit significantly greater levels of psychopathology & lower levels of adaptive personality traits & coping skills. The findings point to the clinical importance of making a distinction between non-suicidal self-injury & suicide attempts, & offers additional variables to consider outside of intent when appraising suicide risk. (36 refs.)