@article{ref1,
title="Suicidal and other self-harming behaviour in offender women: The role of shame, anger and childhood abuse",
journal="Legal and criminological psychology",
year="2005",
author="Milligan, Rhonda-Jane and Andrews, Bernice",
volume="10",
number="1",
pages="13-25",
abstract="Purpose. The main aim of the study was to consider the contributions of childhood physical and sexual abuse (CPA and CSA) and different aspects of shame and anger to self-harming behaviours in 89 women prisoners. A further aim was to examine the mediating roles of shame and anger in any link between childhood abuse and self-harm.Method. Standardized shame and anger questionnaires and four items assessing self-harm modified from an impulsive behaviour questionnaire were verbally administered. Women were interviewed to assess the occurrence of physical and sexual abuse in childhood.Results. Over half (57%) the women reported suicidal and other self-harming behaviours at some time in their lives, with 50% of these occurring just before or during the current sentence. All shame, anger, and abuse variables were significantly related to self-harm, but only bodily shame showed an independent relationship when all variables were considered together. Bodily shame was most strongly associated with CSA, and a mediational analysis tested these specific links with self-harm. Both CSA and bodily shame made significant independent contributions to self-harm; however, bodily shame demonstrated the strongest effect, partially mediating the effect of CSA.Conclusions. This is the first study to demonstrate a significant statistical relationship between shame and self-harming behaviours in women. The findings have implications for the assessment of the therapeutic needs of women prisoners. Future research directions are discussed.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1355-3259",
doi="10.1348/135532504X15439",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1348/135532504X15439"
}