Psychological pain and self-harming behaviours in an adulthood community sample: An exploratory study

This study evaluated the contribution of psychological pain to self-harming behaviours, controlling for several co-variables. A convenience sample of 207 U.S. residents provided socio-demographic and clinical information and responded to the Psychache Scale. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that when controlling for the significant co-variables of drug use and having a psychiatric diagnosis, psychological pain provided a significant contribution in predicting self-harming behaviours. Psychological pain also correlated with the frequency of self-harming behaviours, controlling for significant co-variables. We conclude that, when clinicians collect life history and assess relevant risk factors for self-harming behaviours, it is also important to assess psychological pain.