NCJ Number
139868
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 19 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1992) Pages: 426-436
Date Published
1992
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Selected factors of state prison inmates' preincarceration background that were associated with the probability of parasuicide were identified in a stratified random sample within the New York State prison system of 123 male inmates with and without histories of parasuicide.
Abstract
Three domains that theoretically have been linked to parasuicide were examined: problem histories, maladaptive social network members or models, and life events. Inmate psychiatric history emerged as the strongest risk factor for parasuicide among the problem history variables investigated. Another strong predictor was close affiliation with someone with a parasuicide history as was arrest record of a significant network member. There were significantly higher incidences of psychiatric treatment, homelessness, and drug abuse but not alcohol abuse in the parasuicide group than the nonparasuicide group. Social desirability was significantly lower among the parasuicide group. 2 notes, 1 table, and 33 references