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Suicidal intent and repeated self-harm

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

David Pierce
David Pierce*
Affiliation:
From the East Glamorgan Hospital, Pontypridd
*
1Address for correspondence: Dr David Pierce, East Glamorgan Hospital, Pontypridd, Mid Glamorgan.
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Synopsis

The value of identifying self-harm patients who repeat with rising suicidal intent is discussed. A study is described measuring changes in intent with repetition by means of an intent scale. Patients repeating once in 5 years scored significantly higher in intent for their second episodes, while multiple repeaters tended to score lower for second episodes. Patients under the age of 35 were most at risk for repetition with increasing intent within 2 years. No correlation emerged between the rise in intent and the time interval between episodes over a 7-year period. The 5-year suicide rate was higher among rising intent repeaters than other cases. These findings are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , August 1984 , pp. 655 - 659
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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