The Psychological Motives of Self-Harm Behavior among Inmates at the Correctional and Rehabilitation Centers in Jordan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the
psychological motives of self-harm behavior among inmates in
the correctional and rehabilitation centers of Jordan. The
sample consisted of (136)male and female inmates who met all
criteria established for this study. For answering the research
questions, the researcher developed the Motives of Self-Harm
Behavior Inventory. To test the reliability of this instrument,
the researcher administered this instrument to 40, male and
female inmates outside the sample of the study.
The internal consistency was (0.95)as measured by Cranach's
alpha, which is an indicator of reliability. The feedback of
specialized professors regarding the validity of the instrument
provided the face validity. The results indicated that self-harm
behavior associated with stressful life events such as mental
illness, dealing with prison environment, and lack of family
support or bonding. No significant differences were found
between inmates regarding their motives for intentional selfharm
due to gender, age, and length of sentence, marital
status, and convicted or waiting trials. The prevalence of selfharm
behavior among male inmates was 2% and 8.5 % for
females. Mental illness was the most influential and leading
factor for intentional self-harm behavior especially among
female inmates.