Citation

Rosen PM, Walsh BW, Rode SA. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 1990; 20(2): 177-184.

Affiliation

Community Treatment Complex, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2385860

Abstract

Self-mutilation was hypothesized to increase in frequency during periods of interpersonal loss in a treatment program for seriously disturbed adolescents. The study examined changes in the frequency of acts of self-mutilation, aggression, and running away for 32 teenagers who experienced interpersonal loss when staff members left employment. Data were collected for a 4-year period. Statistical findings indicated that the frequency of self-mutilation increased significantly during the time period of anticipated loss, 2 weeks prior to staff terminations. There was no significant increase in the frequency of self-mutilation immediately following the staff terminations. Also, there was no significant change in the rates of aggression or running away either before or after the loss events. It was concluded that the time of anticipated loss was the period of highest risk for these adolescents in terms of self-mutilative behavior.