Citation

Dubouis-Bonnefond JC, Dubrez B, Hilaire C. Psychol. Med. (Paris) 1991; 23(1): 73-76.

Vernacular Title

Automutilations et gestes autovulnérants en milieu militaire

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, S. P. E. I. éditeur)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Discusses the phenomenon of self-mutilation (SM), which assumes a particular connotation in a military environment, observing that it is less frequent than attempts to suicide. SM actually appears to ward off suicide attempts, symbolically substituting the destruction of a part of the body for the whole. This theme is illustrated with the case histories of 4 French recruits, who inflicted on themselves mutilations and wounds to escape the draft or to be medically discharged from the military. Typically, their behavior was neutral. They were unmotivated to seek psychiatric help, impulsive, intolerant of all authority and restraint, with barely average or below average IQs. Ss' anamneses and somatic state (e.g., scars from previous self-assaults) were among the psychiatrists' diagnostic tools. (English abstract) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

France; Military Personnel; military recruits; Nonsuicidal Self-Injury; self mutilation & wounding; Self-Inflicted Wounds