Citation

Ainsah O, Norharlina B, Osman CB. Hong Kong J. Psychiatry 2008; 18(4): 158-165.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between the menstrual cycle and deliberate self-harm. Participants and Methods: This was a case-control study on consecutive eligible female patients (n = 86) admitted to Hospital Kuala Lumpur following an episode of deliberate self-harm (defined by Hawton, 1999) and controls admitted for acute minor medical problems during the period March to June 2005. The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview and Suicide Intent Scale were administered to diagnose psychiatric disorders and to assess suicidal intensity.

RESULTS: Patients with deliberate self-harm were associated with the age-group of 18 to 29 years (84%), being single (61%), and employed (78%). They were also significantly associated with being of Malay origin (p < 0.05), having a lower education level (p < 0.05), lacking a confiding relationship (p < 0.05), and having a depressive disorder (p < 0.05). The commonest method was self-poisoning (91%). More than half of the patients had medium suicidal intent. Deliberate self-harm was significantly associated with the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (p < 0.05), later onset of menarche (p < 0.05), and shorter duration of menses (p < 0.05). Diagnoses of depressive disorders were not significantly different according to the phase of the menstrual cycle (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Menstrual factors may be significantly associated with deliberate self-harm. Further investigations are recommended to explore psychosocial and physiological factors associated with deliberate self-harm in young women. © 2008 Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; female; Malaysia; Mental disorders; depression; suicide attempt; disease severity; ethnicity; risk factor; article; major clinical study; mental disease; controlled study; disease association; automutilation; human relation; social psychology; self poisoning; age distribution; employment; psychiatric diagnosis; psychosocial care; Suicide, attempted; premenstrual syndrome; case control study; menstrual cycle; psychological rating scale; educational status; follicular phase; single woman; Menstrual cycle; menstruation; menarche; Premenstrual syndrome