MIDAS Project
Publication Abstracts
Zlotnick, C., Mattia, J.I., Zimmerman, M. Clinical correlates of
self-mutilation in a sample of general psychiatric patients. Journal of
Nervous and Mental Disease, 1999, 187, 296-301.
The aims of this study were to examine whether certain Axis I disorders
characterized by impulsive aggression were associated with self-mutilative
behavior and to evaluate the clinical correlates of self-mutilation in a
sample of general psychiatric outpatients. Two hundred and fifty-six
outpatients were administered diagnostic interviews for Axis I and Axis II
disorders. In addition questionnaires that measured self-mutilative acts
within the last three months, dissociation, and childhood sexual abuse
were completed. This study found that Axis I disorders of substance abuse,
posttraumatic stress disorder and intermittent explosive disorder were
significantly related to self-mutilative behavior, independent of
borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Also,
a higher level of dissociation was related to self-mutilation, controlling
for borderline personality disorder and childhood abuse. Outpatients with
certain Axis I disorders and those who dissociate may represent a sizable
group of patients who are at risk for self-mutilative behavior.
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