The Psychopathology of Incarcerated Self-Mutilators

Objective: To investigate the symptomatology of severe psychopathology reported by male incarcerated self-mutilators. Method: Comparisons were made with a nonmutilating incarcerated group and a nonincarcerated, nonmutilator group. Results: A distinctive pattern of symptomatology emerged. Self-mutilators evidenced a wide range of elevated scores on general measures of psychological/psychiatric symptoms, particularly depression and hostility. Aspects of hostility that distinguished self-mutilators from other groups included the urge to act out hostile feelings, critical feelings towards others, paranoid feelings of hostility and guilt. Selfmutilators demonstrated substantial problems with substance abuse, particularly alcohol. Conclusion: A pattern of passive-aggressive, schizoid and avoidant personality styles distinguished self-mutilators from other groups.