Research examining the role of frequency versus severity in the NSSI/suicidality nexus, which also clarifies self-injurious intent, may assist in addressing these hypotheses.
In particular, Silverman, Berman, Sanddal, O'Carroll and Joiner (2007) [ 82] emphasised the potential complication with trying to separate self-harm and suicide attempt into two independent categories by highlighting that self-injurious intent and suicidal intent can be present simultaneously in an individual [ 82].
Code 5=Self-injurious behaviour, intent unknown.
The FDA has defined an approach that classifies adverse events relating to suicidality in set categories [ 16- 18]: Code 1 = Completed suicide Code 2 = Suicide attempt Code 3 = Preparatory acts toward imminent suicidal behaviour Code 4 = Suicidal ideation Code 5 = Self-injurious behaviour, intent unknown Code 6 = Fatal event.
Given the many shared features between suicidal self-injurious acts and self-injurious acts without suicidal intent (e.g., [ 44]) the findings of comparable DSH and NSSI rates may not be surprising, but essential to empirically establish so cross-study comparisons can be made.
As explained in our previous article [ 9], suicide attempt was defined as any nonfatal, self-injurious behavior with some intent to cause a completed suicide.
In the present study, this section of the questionnaire was modified to assess lifetime and past month ratings of self-injurious behaviour and suicide intent in order to provide more specific information about chronicity and current risk of suicidal behaviour.
* Injury of undetermined intent.
A suicide attempt possesses self-initiated, potentially injurious behavior, the presence of intent to die and non-fatal outcome (Levi et al. (2008)).
Such research will allow for the continued development of an etiological model of self-injurious behaviors with and without suicidal intent, furthering our understanding of self-injury and our ability to intervene with these prevalent and serious behaviors.
