Clinical correlates of self-mutilation in a sample of general psychiatric patients

The aims of this study were to examine whether certain suds I disorders cha racterized by impulsive aggression were associated with self-mutilative beh avior and to evaluate the clinical correlates of self-mutilation in a sampl e of general psychiatric outpatients. Two hundred fifty-six outpatients wer e administered diagnostic interviews for axis I and arris Ii disorders. In addition, questionnaires that measured self-mutilative acts within the last 3 months, dissociation, and childhood abuse were completed. This study fou nd that; axis I disorders of substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder , and intermittent explosive disorder were significantly related to self-mu tilative behavior independent; of borderline personality disorder and antis ocial personality disorder. Also, a higher level of dissociation was relate d to self-mutilation, controlling for borderline personality disorder and c hildhood abuse. Outpatients with certain axis I disorders and those who dis sociate may represent a sizable group of patients who are at risk for self- mutilative behavior.