Validation in ecuadorian population of a self-injury questionnaire without suicide-intention based on the dsm-5

Abstract

Self-injury behaviors have been related to different syndromes of anxiety, depression, attempted suicide and consummate suicide, bullying, and physical and/or sexual abuse. Similarly, this symptomatology has also been linked to syndromes that do not necessarily lead to an attempted suicide such as substance use and abuse, autism or schizophrenia. In this sense, these self-injury behaviors have been related to affective or attention need. The present study validates a questionnaire for the diagnosis, and subsequent treatment, of these self-injuries without suicidal intent. The results show that there are two sub-dimensions of self-injury: Self-injury above the skin and Self-injury below the skin. There are also gender differences between men and women in both the type of self-harm and in the level of it.