Psychosocial characteristics and social networks of suicidal prisoners: towards a model of suicidal behaviour in detention

Rivlin, Adrienne, Hawton, Keith, Marzano, Lisa ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9735-3512 and Fazel, Seena (2013) Psychosocial characteristics and social networks of suicidal prisoners: towards a model of suicidal behaviour in detention. PLoS One, 8 (7) , e68944. pp. 1-11. ISSN 1932-6203 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0068944)

Preview

PDF - Published version (with publisher's formatting) Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (242kB) | Preview

Abstract

Prisoners are at increased risk of suicide. Investigation of both individual and environmental risk factors may assist in developing suicide prevention policies for prisoners and other high-risk populations. We conducted a matched case-control interview study with 60 male prisoners who had made near-lethal suicide attempts in prison (cases) and 60 male prisoners who had not (controls). We compared levels of depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, impulsivity, aggression, hostility, childhood abuse, life events (including events occurring in prison), social support, and social networks in univariate and multivariate models. A range of psychosocial factors was associated with near-lethal self-harm in prisoners. Compared with controls, cases reported higher levels of depression, hopelessness, impulsivity, and aggression, and lower levels of self-esteem and social support (all p values <0.001). Adverse life events and criminal history factors were also associated with near-lethal self-harm, especially having a prior prison spell and having been bullied in prison, both of which remained significant in multivariate analyses. The findings support a model of suicidal behaviour in prisoners that incorporates imported vulnerability factors, clinical factors, and prison experiences, and underscores their interaction. Strategies to reduce self-harm and suicide in prisoners should include attention to such factors.

Actions (login required)

View Item