Behavior of Self-harmed Patients Attending Prachomklao Hospital Phetchabu Province - พฤติกรรมการทำร้ายตนเองของผู้ป่วย ที่มารับบริการที่โรงพยาบาลพระจอมเกล้า จังหวัดเพชรบุรี

Abstract

This research had an objective to study demographic characteristics, problems, causes and behaviors of 113 self-harmed patients attending Prachomklao hospital, Phetchaburi province during the year 2007-2009. Data collections were done by using standard interview form, developed by Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to define statistical significance of variables. The results showed 69 females and 44 males. Females to males ratio was 1.57:1. The precipitating factors of self-harmed behavior were quarrel with intimate persons, disappointment with love, jealousy and feeling hurt after being blamed accompanying with depression. The most frequent methods were chemical ingestion and drug overdose due to easy access. The variables that correlated to sex showed that alcohol and drug abuse, chemicals ingestion and fatally harmful methods were found in males more than females. Females were more educated, currently affected with underlying diseases and preferred drug overdose. The variables that correlated with age group showed that adults were the most, followed by adolescents and elderly were the least. Among adolescents, there were 3.7 times more females than males, most of them used drug overdose. Among adults, there were slightly more females than males and over half of them used severe methods such as chemicals ingestion. There were twice more elderly males than females. All of them ingested chemicals. This research revealed the problems plus causes and reported that self-harmed behaviors were triggered by being unable to cope with stress, lack of both skills in problems solving and communications to seek appropriate help. The self-harmed methods depended on sex, age, emotional maturity and depression. The tendency to use more severe method increases with age. This findings can be useful in planning for the prevention and treatment to patients.