Clearly defining parasuicidal behavior is no simple task. Historically, there has been much controversy surrounding the definition and conceptualization of parasuicide, suicide, and other suicide‐spectrum phenomena. To further complicate matters, the term “parasuicide” continues to be used inaccurately, especially in clinical circles, to refer exclusively to intentional self‐injury that is not a suicide attempt (i.e., without suicidal intent). J.M.G. Williams provided a concise, operational definition of parasuicidal behavior: “any non‐fatal, serious, deliberate self‐harm with or without suicide intent.”
Internationally, parasuicide occurs most frequently in the first half of the life cycle (in ages 15–44), and in most countries, rates among women exceed those among men. Yet, older adults are also at risk for parasuicidal behaviors; the Epidemiological Catchment Area study revealed a lifetime prevalence of 1.1% among adults aged 65 and older, and some believe that parasuicidal...
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Suggested Readings
Abdul‐Hamid W, Smith M, Sivakumar K (1999) Deliberate self‐harm in the elderly: A comparison with younger adults. Arab J Psychiatr 10(2):92–98
Comtois KA (2002) A review of interventions to reduce the prevalence of parasuicide. Psychiatr Serv 53(9):1138–1144
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Suggested Resources
American Association of Suicidology; http://www.suicidology.org/
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention; http://www.afsp.org
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP); http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention/
Suicide Prevention Action Network USA; http://www.spanusa.org
Suicide Prevention Resource Center; http://www.sprc.org/
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Cornette, M.M. (2008). Parasuicidal Behavior. In: Loue, S.J., Sajatovic, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Aging and Public Health. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-33754-8_335
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