J Korean Acad Nurs.  2009 Aug;39(4):459-468. 10.4040/jkan.2009.39.4.459.

Impact of Eating Psychopathology, Obsessive-Compulsion and Depression on Self-Harm Behavior in Patients with Eating Disorders

• Kong SS

• KMID: 820223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.4.459

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate psychological factors such as eating psychopathology, depression, and obsessive-compulsion that might influence self-harm behavior in patients with eating disorders.
METHODS
Patients with eating disorders (n=135) who visited "M" clinic for eating disorders participated in the study. Data were collected from March to August 2007 using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Beck Depression Inventory, Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory, and Self-Harm Inventory (SHI).
RESULTS
The participants scored high on self-harm as well as on depression and obsessive-compulsion. On the SHI, a high frequency of self harm behavior such as 'torturing self with self-defeating thoughts', 'abused alcohol', 'hit self', and 'suicide attempt' were found for the participants. There were significant correlations between most eating psychopathology variables, depression, obsessive-compulsion, and self-harm behavior. 'Interoceptive awareness' (eating psychopathology), depression, and 'checking' (obsessive-compulsion) were significant predictors of self-harm behavior.
CONCLUSION
Future interventions for patients with eating disorders should focus on assessing the possibility of self-harm and suicidal attempts, especially in those patients with high levels of eating psychopathology, depression, or obsessive-compulsion. Early intervention for depression and obsessive-compulsion could contribute to preventing self-harm and suicide in patients with eating disorders.

Keyword

Eating disorders; Depression; Obsessive-compulsive; Self-harm

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Demography
Depression/complications/diagnosis/*psychology
Eating Disorders/complications/diagnosis/*psychology
Female
Humans
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder/complications/diagnosis/*psychology
Questionnaires
Suicide, Attempted/psychology

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