Psychopathological Predictors of Indirect Self-Destructiveness in Patients with Schizophrenia

Abstract

Behaviours causing harm to the individual are generally called self-destructive behaviours. For some time now, direct/acute self-destructiveness has been distinguished from indirect/chronic self-destructiveness. Indirectly self-destructive behaviours occur not only in healthy people (examined in most of the studies) but also in mentally ill individuals, which has not been researched. The aim of this study has been to explore psychopathological (clinical) predictors of indirect self-destructiveness in patients with schizophrenia. Research was conducted among 200 patients suffering from paranoid schizophrenia (Sc) (according to ICD-10); average age: 37.15 (27–58) years. To assess indirect self-destructiveness, the Polish version of the “Chronic Self-Destructiveness Scale” was applied, whereas, to examine psychopathological characteristics, the Polish version of the “Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2” was used. The correlation-regression procedure was followed. There were many statistically significant correlations, among which the strongest association occurred between indirect self-destructiveness and Sc and paranoia (Pa) scales (0.522 and 0.435 respectively). Significant predictors were found to be schizophrenia (Sc; R: 0.545; β: 0.412), lack of ego mastery, conative (Sc2b; R: 0.633; β: 0.632), and persecutory ideas (Pa1; R: 0.506; β: 0.335). schizophrenic disorders were a predictor explaining the indirect self-destructiveness syndrome in the patients. That aspect of psycho(patho)logical functioning, i.e. indirect self-destructiveness, which is strongly associated with schizophrenic and paranoid symptoms/disorders, should be considered in therapeutic work as well.