Prevalence and Incidence of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Federally Sentenced Women in Canada

Abstract

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a complex behavior that is not uncommon in the general population, yet little is known about the prevalence of this behavior among incarcerated women. Two studies were conducted to determine the prevalence and incidence of NSSI in federally sentenced Canadian women. In Study 1, a mixed-methods design that included a qualitative interview and a written questionnaire with a sample of 150 incarcerated women was used. In Study 2, archival data were analyzed for a random sample of 400 incarcerated women. Results indicated lifetime prevalence rates of NSSI ranging from 24% to 38%. Incidence of self-injury in a federal institution over a 1-year period was found to be 3.6 per 27.4 person-years (i.e., number of years incarcerated). Both studies indicated that for the majority of women in both samples, NSSI was first initiated in the community, prior to incarceration in a federal correctional institution.

Childhood Abuse, Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury, and Suicide Attempts: An Exploration of Gender Differences in Incarcerated Adults

“…Our findings are generally consistent with previous findings that sexual and physical abuse are more strongly associated with suicide attempts than other types of abuse (e.g., Arata et al, 2008;Joiner et al, 2007;Ystgaard et al, 2004). When considering gender differences, our findings are also in line with previous (Rabinovitch et al, 2014), and between sexual abuse and suicide attempts (Rabinovitch et al, 2014;Tripodi et al, 2014), among female offenders. Other researchers, however, have had different results.…”

“…The recruitment strategy and threepart research protocol used in this study are described in full elsewhere (see Power, 2011;Power & Beaudette, 2014;Power & Usher, 2011); only brief descriptions of the components relevant to the present study are presented here.…”

“…Nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI)—defined as deliberate bodily harm or disfigurement without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned (Klonsky & Muehlenkamp, )—is also more common in incarcerated populations. Approximately 4% of adults have engaged in NSSI at some point in their lives (Klonsky, Oltmanns, & Turkheimer, ); in comparison, 15% to 35% of male offenders (Fotiadou, Livaditis, Manou, Kaniotou, & Xenditidis, ; Sakelliadis, Papadodima, Sergentanis, Giotakos, & Spiliopoulou, ) and 23% to 38% of women offenders have done so (Howard League for Penal Reform, ; Power, Brown, & Usher, ).…”

“…The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and suicide attempts has been well-established in both the general population (e.g., Martin, Bergen, Richardson, Roeger, & Allison, 2004) and among offenders (e.g., Rabinovitch, Kerr, Leve, & Chamberlain, 2014;Sarchiapone et al, 2009). Research focused on identifying the types of adverse childhood events that are most strongly associated with suicide attempts and NSSI has produced mixed results, with some finding that sexual and physical abuse are more strongly linked to suicide attempts than other forms of abuse (e.g., Arata, Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Bowers, & O'Farrill-Swails, 2008;Joiner et al, 2007;Ystgaard, Hestetun, Loeb, & Mehlum, 2004), and others' research demonstrating the strongest association between emotional abuse and suicide attempts (e.g., Dube et al, 2001;Tripodi, Onifade, & Pettus-Davis, 2014).…”

“…A link has also been found between NSSI and abuse, with evidence of a link with physical abuse (Tripodi et al, 2014;Verona, Hicks, & Patrick, 2005) and emotional abuse (Clements-Nolle, Woldern, & Bargmann-Loche, 2009;Tripodi et al, 2014), as well as with a combination of the two (Chapman et al, 2005). Results have been mixed regarding the association with childhood neglect (Chapman et al, 2005;Tripodi et al, 2014) and with sexual abuse (Chapman et al, 2005;Rabinovitch et al, 2014;Tripodi et al, 2014). Gender differences in this area have yet to be identified.…”