Problem solving skills and childhood traumas in patients who self-injured by punching glass during an anger outburst

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the problem solving skills and its childhood traumas among the patients who failed to control their anger and injured their hands and wrists after punching a window or door glass.

Methods: The patients who admitted to emergency service with severe wrist injury including tendon, vessel or nerve cut were included. Twenty-five patients who punching glass constituted study group (23 men, 2 women) and 14 patients who accidentally injured their hands (13 men, 1 woman) included as control group. A few days after wrist operation the patients were informed and asked for study participation. Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) were applied to all patients.

Results: The mean age of the study and control groups was 25.9 and 29.7 years, respectively. Ratios of right hand injury in the study and the control groups were 84% and 43%, respectively (p=0.008). The study group showed higher childhood emotional and physical trauma scores than the control group but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). PSI scores were higher in the study group than the controls which means problem solving skills were poorer in the study group (p=0.001). PSI scores, CTQ total score (p<0.001) and sub-scale scores were positively correlated in the study group.

Conclusions: Previously experienced emotional and physical traumas interfere with the problem solving skills. These individuals show lower tendency to judge and try alternative ways. Psychoeducation on interpersonal relationships, anger management, and problem solving skills may decrease the future injuries in these patients.