Patterns of Self-harm and Attempted Suicide Among White and Black/Mixed Race Female Prisoners

• NCJ Number: 204406
• Journal: Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: 2003 Pages: 229-240
• Author(s): Jo Borrill; Rachel Burnett; Richard Atkins; Sarah Miller; Daniel Briggs; Tim Weaver; Anthony Maden
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 12 pages
• Grant Number(s): RPO 1002
• Sponsoring Agency: Great Britain Home Office
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This study examined ethnic difference in lifetime self-harm and attempted suicide among female inmates in prisons located at various sites in England, with attention to relationships between self-harm, suicide, and substance-use dependence.

Abstract

A sample of 301 women (65 remand and 236 sentenced) was selected from 10 prisons. The ethnic composition of the sample consisted of 190 White women and 111 Black/mixed-race women. Women of Asian or other ethnic backgrounds were excluded, since there were too few for useful analysis. Women who were foreign nationals were also excluded. Instruments used to obtain data on the women were the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification test (AUDIT), the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), and section C (suicidality) of the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Half of the women in the sample reported at least one act of self-harm over their lifetime, and 46 percent reported attempting suicide at some time. Lifetime self-harm was associated with a history of heavy drinking and with being a victim of violence, including physical assault, sexual assault, and violence perpetrated by family members and friends. Lifetime suicide attempts were linked with reported violence by family members or friends. Current high suicide risk was most common among women on remand. Drug dependence and reported violence perpetrated by family members or friends were both more common among White women than Black/mixed-race women. Self-harm and attempted suicide were generally more common among White women; however, Black/mixed-race women who were dependent on drugs had the highest proportion of reports of self-harm. The study concluded that there was tentative support for a three-way association between ethnicity, drug dependence, and self-harm. These findings suggest that drug dependence may be an important factor in predicting self-harm for the Black female prison population. Overall, the study findings reinforce the need for further systematic help for women at risk for self-harm; this help should address the differential needs of White and Black/mixed-race women. 5 tables, 2 figures, and 16 references