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A retrospective matched case–control comparison of non-fatal hanging to non-fatal self-poisoning in a sample of Australian men and women
Ghani, Ayaz Talbot, Daniel Ma, Cassandra Harris, Anthony
Ghani, Ayaz
Talbot, Daniel
Ma, Cassandra
Harris, Anthony
Abstract
Objective
Our study examined the characteristics of individuals who survived attempted hanging and compared this group to a randomly selected comparison group of patients with non-fatal self-poisoning.
Method
Non-fatal hanging cases were identified from case files from an Australian public hospital. They were matched by age, sex, and month of presentation with double the number of non-fatal self-poisoning cases. Patients were compared on demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as length of stay in hospital and discharge plan.
Results
Most non-fatal hanging patients were males with medium suicidal intent, and a significant proportion misused alcohol. In this group, women were more likely than men to have past psychiatric care, and men were more likely to misuse alcohol and stimulants. In comparison to the self-poisoning group, the non-fatal hanging group had higher suicidal intent but proportionally lower history of self-harm and psychiatric care, or benzodiazepine misuse.
Conclusion
People who self-harm by hanging have higher suicidal intent, misuse alcohol more often, and are less likely to be in psychiatric care. They may benefit from a general community intervention, rather than one based upon interventions with people already in psychiatric care.
Keywords
non-fatal hanging, suicide, matched case–control comparison, non-fatal poisoning, hanging
Date
2023
Type
Journal article
Journal
Australasian Psychiatry
Book
Volume
31
Issue
3
Page Range
363-368
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2023.