Socio-Demographic Factors and Abuse in Attempted Suicide and Deliberate Self Harm

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to find out the socio-demographic factors and causes of Deliberate
Self-Harm and suicide attempt.
Method: Cross-Sectional research design and purposive sampling was used to collect data from Department
of Emergency and Department of Psychiatry, Services Hospital, Lahore. Data was comprised of 100 patients
with suicidal attempt, with age-range of 13 to 65 years (M = 25.65, SD = 11.15). A semi-structured interview
was conducted with the participants and Traumatic Experience Checklist (Nijenhuis, Van der, Kruger, 2002)
was administered to determine the occurrence, and impact of any trauma experienced by them.
Results: The data was analyzed through descriptive statistics, and frequency and percentages of age, gender,
educational status, and professional status, causes and ways of Deliberate Self-Harm, history of
psychological illness, family history of Deliberate Self-Harm and psychological illness, and scores of
participants on Traumatic Experience Checklist were determined. The results of study showed that medicine
intake (43%), acid intake (22%) and cuts and injuries (25%) were the most common ways of Deliberate Self-
Harm and family conflicts (56%) and psychological illness (28%) were the commonest causes of Deliberate
Self-Harm.
Conclusion: It can be concluded from the findings of the study that experiencing one or more trauma, family
conflicts and psychological illness are some of the major causes of Deliberate Self-Harm in patients with
suicide attempt.

How to cite: Bokhari SQ, Alam RS, Bokhari Q, Majeed R, Butt A. Socio-Demographic Factors and Abuse in Attempted Suicide
and Deliberate Self-Harm. Esculapio - JSIMS 2022;18(03):315-319