Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Interpersonal Violence in Suicide Attempters

Abstract

The current study compared characteristics of suicidal behavior and interpersonal violence in suicide attempters with and without a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). A total of 100 suicide attempters were assessed with Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS) and Karolinska Suicide History Interview concerning interpersonal violence and NSSI. There was a high degree of comorbid NSSI in suicide attempters (44%). Suicide attempters with NSSI-history reported more interpersonal violence as adults and more severe suicidal behavior compared to suicide attempters without NSSI. Comorbid NSSI was related to severity of suicidal behavior in a gender specific manner. Comorbid NSSI in suicide attempters may increase suicide and violence risk.

Keywords:

• gender difference
• interpersonal violence
• non-suicidal self-injury
• suicide attempt

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hanna Sahlin

Hanna Sahlin and Tomas Moberg, Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Tomas Moberg

Hanna Sahlin and Tomas Moberg, Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Tatja Hirvikoski

Tatja Hirvikoski, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Jussi Jokinen

Jussi Jokinen, Department of Clinical Neuroscience/Psychiatry, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and Department of Clinical Science/Psychiatry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.