Childhood trauma, dissociation and self-harming behaviour: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Forensic Mental Health

Background:

• Childhood trauma is a known precursor to deliberate self-harm (DSH).
• Understanding the mediating factors is crucial for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanisms linking childhood trauma to DSH in incarcerated women.
• To identify specific psychological pathways, such as dissociation and self-esteem, involved in this relationship.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 50 women in a high-security setting were categorized into non-harmers, infrequent harmers, and frequent harmers.
• These groups were compared on measures of self-esteem, dissociation, anger, impulsivity, and history of abuse.

Main Results:

• Deliberate self-harm frequency correlated with low self-esteem, increased dissociation, anger, impulsivity, and history of sexual/physical abuse.
• Path analysis revealed childhood sexual abuse strongly predicts DSH via increased dissociation, and secondarily via reduced self-esteem.

Conclusions:

• High levels of dissociation are strongly associated with increased frequency of self-harming behaviors.
• These findings offer theoretical insights and have significant implications for therapeutic strategies in managing DSH.