Journal Published Online: 17 December 2003
Volume 49, Issue 1

Discriminating Deliberate Self-Harm (DSH) in Young Prison Inmates Through Personality Disorder

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

This study investigated deliberate self-harm (DSH) in young inmates. The objectives are twofold: first, to identify the social and clinical characteristics of inmates who commit DSH; and secondly, to ascertain the types of personality who are vulnerable in order to be able to predict future inmates who may harm themselves. A cross-sectional design was used to study psychosocial correctional personality characteristics and clinical pictures in inmates with DSH versus a control group without DSH. The measures used to evaluate different variables were a standard protocol and a self-report questionnaire (MCMI-II). Although the two groups compared are homogeneous and similar in terms of different psychosocial variables, inmates with DSH presented a significant background of maltreatment. Borderline, passive-aggressive, and antisocial personality disorders best discriminated both groups.

The detection of borderline, negativistic, and antisocial disorders may help the medical services of penitentiary centers to predict youths with a possible risk of DSH. Despite the results obtained, longitudinal studies are needed to help clarify other risk factors, as well as other risk factors leading to self-harm behavior.

Author Information

Mohino, JS
Catalan Institute of Forensic Medicine of Higher Court of Justice, Clínica Médico-Forense de Barcelona, Instituto de Medicina Legal de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Ortega-Monasterio, L
Catalan Institute of Forensic Medicine of Higher Court of Justice, Clínica Médico-Forense de Barcelona, Instituto de Medicina Legal de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Planchat, TLM
Catalan Institute of Forensic Medicine of Higher Court of Justice, Clínica MÙdico-Forense de Barcelona, Instituto de Medicina Legal de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Cuquerella, FA
Catalan Institute of Forensic Medicine of Higher Court of Justice, Clínica MÙdico-Forense de Barcelona, Instituto de Medicina Legal de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Talön, NT
Catalan Institute of Forensic Medicine of Higher Court of Justice, Clínica MÙdico-Forense de Barcelona, Instituto de Medicina Legal de Cataluña, Barcelona, Spain
Macho, VJL
Public Mental Health Center of Barcelona, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
Pages: 4
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS2003111
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003111