Citation

Slade K, Edelmann R, Worrall M, Bray D. Leg. Crim. Psychol. 2014; 19(1): 131-146.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, British Psychological Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.2044-8333.2012.02065.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE. Deliberate self-harming behaviour is more prevalent within the prison environment than in community samples, with those in the first weeks of imprisonment at greatest risk. Research in this area has been largely atheoretical and a unifying model may improve the predictability of assessment and the development of intervention approaches. This study applied William and Pollock's (2001) Cry of Pain model as the theoretical process of deliberate self-harm in the early stages of imprisonment.

METHODS. A prospective study of new arrivals at an adult male prison. Participants (n = 181) completed questionnaires and it was hypothesized that the factors derived from the model (perceived stress, defeat, entrapment, and absence of rescue factors) would be predictive of future deliberate self-harm. Prisoners with active psychosis and non-English speakers were excluded. All participants were followed up for 4 months for instances of self-harm. Eighteen participants engaged in self-harm during this period.

RESULTS. The Cry of Pain model was supported in the analysis. Hierarchical binary logistic regression confirmed that all features of the model were supported as predictive of future self-harm in prison, even after controlling for previous self-harm, depression, and hopelessness.

CONCLUSION. The Cry of Pain model is supported as a predictive model for deliberate self-harm in prison. Suggestions are offered as to the impact on assessment and intervention directions in prison. © 2012 The British Psychological Society.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; male; prison; suicidal ideation; depression; social support; psychosis; stress; suicide attempt; locus of control; hopelessness; article; major clinical study; controlled study; self report; automutilation; priority journal; coping behavior; prisoner; prospective study; detention; named inventories, questionnaires and rating scales; coping responses inventory adult form; cry of pain model; defeat scale; depression hopelessness and suicide screening; entrapment scale; locus of control of behavior; ps scale; Resilience Scale; social soppurt appraisal scale