The Prevalence of Self-Harm Behaviors in a Consecutive Sample of Cardiac Stress Test Patients

Abstract

While self-harm behavior has been studied in various psychiatric populations, particularly the behaviors of suicide attempts and completions, little empirical data exists on the lifetime prevalence of various self-harm behaviors in non-psychiatric populations. In the present study, using a cross-sectional approach and a self-report survey methodology, we examined the lifetime prevalence of 22 self-harm behaviors in a consecutive sample of 250 patients undergoing cardiac stress testing. Results indicated that abuse alcohol was most common (17.2%) followed by promiscuity (10.4%); 6% reported a previous suicide atatempt. Findings indicate areas of clinician inquiry for self-harm behaviors in non-psychiatric patients.

The Prevalence of 22 Self-Harm Behaviors in a Consecutive Sample of Obstetrics/Gynecology Outpatients

“…Of importance, even though the present study and our three previous studies [6][7][8] indicate similar patterns with regard to the most commonly reported self-harm behaviors, the percentages of these behaviors in the various populations differ (see Table 2). The most consistent prevalence rate for a given behavior across the four studies is the abuse of alcohol, at around 20%.…”

“…In this study, we found that engaging in emotionally abusive relationships was the most frequently endorsed self-harm behavior among women outpatients in an obstetrics/gynecology clinic. Interestingly, four of the five most frequently SELF-HARM IN OBSTETRICS/GYNECOLOGY PATIENTS / 183 endorsed behaviors in this sample mirror four of the most prevalent behaviors in three previous clinical samples [6][7][8]-that is, engaged in emotionally abusive relationships, abused alcohol, been promiscuous, and tortured self with selfdefeating thoughts. That these four specific self-harm behaviors prevalently span across four studies of diverse clinical populations strongly suggests that these behaviors are high-yield areas of clinician inquiry among various types of adult patient samples.…”

“…In this sample, the five most frequently reported self-harm behaviors were: abused alcohol (19.9%), engaged in emotionally abusive relationships (18.6%), been promiscuous (17.9%), tortured self with self-defeating thoughts (16.8%), and driven recklessly (13.5%). In a second study, we examined these 22 self-harm behaviors in a cardiac stress test population (N = 251) [7]. In this sample, the five most frequently reported self-harm behaviors were: abused alcohol (17.2%), been promiscuous (10.4%), engaged in emotionally abusive relationships (7.6%), tortured self with self-defeating thoughts (7.6%), and driven recklessly (7.2%).…”