Citation

Timmins MA, Berman ME, Nadorff MR, Amadi SC, Fanning JR, McCloskey MS. Arch. Suicide Res. 2019; ePub(ePub): 1-24.

Affiliation

Temple University , USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2018.1563577

PMID

30636569

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Research supports the notion that alcohol intoxication is a risk-factor for deliberate self-harm (DSH). However, the underlying mechanisms for this relationship are poorly understood. We aimed to determine whether alcohol-induced dissociation mediated alcohol's effects on DSH.

METHODS: We used data from a dose-response study of alcohol intoxication and DSH to test the proposed model. Participants were assigned to reach target blood-alcohol concentrations (BAC) ranging from 0.00% through 0.10% and then completed a behavioral measure of DSH. Dissociation was assessed using the Alcohol Dissociative Experiences Scale.

RESULTS: BAC predicted both dissociation and DSH, but dissociation did not predict DSH.

CONCLUSION: Although research on clinical populations suggests dissociation is related to DSH, our findings suggest dissociation does not mediate the effects of alcohol on self-harm.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol; Dissociation; Gender; Intoxication; Self-aggression; Self-harm