The Prevalence of Self-Harm Behaviors in a Consecutive Sample of Cardiac Stress Test Patients

Abstract

While self-harm behavior has been studied in various psychiatric populations, particularly the behaviors of suicide attempts and completions, little empirical data exists on the lifetime prevalence of various self-harm behaviors in non-psychiatric populations. In the present study, using a cross-sectional approach and a self-report survey methodology, we examined the lifetime prevalence of 22 self-harm behaviors in a consecutive sample of 250 patients undergoing cardiac stress testing. Results indicated that abuse alcohol was most common (17.2%) followed by promiscuity (10.4%); 6% reported a previous suicide atatempt. Findings indicate areas of clinician inquiry for self-harm behaviors in non-psychiatric patients.