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Brief Communication: Differences Between Ethnic Groups in Demographic and Clinical Features of Patients Admitted and Assessed After Deliberate Self-Harm: A Retrospective Case-Note Study

Clinical Neuroscience Division, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK

David Baldwin

Clinical Neuroscience Division, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, UK, dsb1{at}soton.ac.uk

Louise Hartland

Department of Psychiatry, Hampshire Partnership Trust, UK

Rajesh Nair

Department of Psychiatry, Hampshire Partnership Trust, UK

Background to the study: When compared to the United Kingdom general population, rates of deliberate self-harm (DSH) are increased among certain ethnic groups, particularly in those from the Indian diaspora.

Aim: To investigate differences between ethnic groups in the demographic and clinical features of patients admitted after episodes of DSH and subsequently assessed by a nurse-led DSH liaison team.

Method: A retrospective case-note study (N = 297) with completion of a standardized data collection instrument. The ethnic origin of each patient was assessed by a variety of means.

Results: Asian patients (n = 38) were more likely to be female (p = 0.043), married (p = 0.027), and cite problems with their partner (p = 0.017) as a precipitant to DSH. The indigenous group (n = 234) were more likely to have previous contact with psychiatric services (p = 0.023), to have used alcohol preceding DSH (p = 0.014), and to have a criminal record (p = 0.007).

Conclusions: In this population, the demographic and clinical features of patients assessed after DSH vary significantly with ethnic group. A case-control study is warranted to examine these differences in more detail.

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 52, No. 6, 483-486 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764006066825


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