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Dissertation
The relationship between reactive violence and self-harm among individuals with mental illness in the community
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
Sep 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000851
Abstract
Research has shown that self-harm and violence toward others commonly co-occur and that each of these behaviors may be a risk factor for the other (O'Donnell et al., 2015). The current study was designed to further investigate this co-occurrence, known as dual harm, using data from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment study. The current study tested possible predictors of dual harm that might help to identify who is at risk for engaging in both behaviors. Data from 951 participants in the MacArthur study (57.6% male) were analyzed using mixed effects logistic regression to account for repeated measures. Results indicated that neither instrumental nor reactive violence was significantly associated with odds of reporting self-harm. None of the specific types of self-harm examined was significantly associated with odds of reporting reactive violence. However, higher levels of anger, a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, and a diagnosis of a substance use disorder were all associated with greater odds of dual harm. Additionally, participants with a diagnosis of a major mental disorder were significantly less likely to report dual harm. Study results indicate that anger, emotion dysregulation, and substance abuse are dynamic risk factors for dual harm that should be assessed as part of standard risk assessments, particularly during critical transition periods, such as discharge from a psychiatric hospitalization or release from incarceration. Short-term, skills-based intervention that targets these factors can help reduce risk for dual harm. Results also have implications for policy, which often oversimplifies the relationship between mental health and violence and stigmatizes individuals with mental health disorders. Overall, accurately assessing risk for dual harm has the potential to mitigate the negative consequences of both types of harm and to avoid overlooking risk of one type of harm when assessing risk of the other.
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Details
- Title
- The relationship between reactive violence and self-harm among individuals with mental illness in the community
- Creators
- Kelley Elizabeth Durham
- Contributors
- Kirk Heilbrun (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- vi, 62 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991015411988904721