⚠ Educational Use Only — The CAT-PD: Self Harm is a self-reflection worksheet for academic and research purposes only. It does not provide a formal assessment result, professional evaluation, or any form of recommendation. If you have concerns, please consult a qualified professional.
7 Research Items
1–5 Likert Scale
≥2 Baseline Avg
~2m Est. Time

Self Harm: Academic Baseline Profiler

The Self Harm subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 7-item academic research instrument measuring the presence and frequency of self-harm urges, suicidal ideation, and self-injurious behavior history. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011) at the University at Buffalo, it is u...

For each statement, select the response that best describes your typical patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior. There are no right or wrong answers — accurate, honest responses produce the most academically useful baseline data.

1 of 7 CAT-PD: Self Harm

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Before you continue

You indicated that you have been experiencing thoughts or urges that may be distressing. This worksheet acknowledges your response and encourages you to speak with a qualified professional or a trusted person in your life about what you are experiencing. You do not need to face this alone.

If you are in immediate distress, please reach out to a mental health professional or crisis support service in your area. The International Association for Suicide Prevention maintains a directory of crisis centers at iasp.info.

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Academic Profile
Average item score (1–5 scale) · CAT-PD: Self Harm

Profile Interpretation

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Educational Context

Scores on this subscale are research data points used by qualified researchers. Any indication of active distress should prompt immediate engagement with qualified professional support.

Academic research uses these scores as baseline data points within structured personality research frameworks. Scores are not evaluative conclusions and should always be interpreted by a qualified researcher or professional in conjunction with a comprehensive assessment battery.

Speak with Someone

If you are experiencing distress, please reach out to a qualified professional or crisis support service in your area. You do not have to navigate this alone. The International Association for Suicide Prevention maintains a directory of crisis centers worldwide at iasp.info.

Academic Citation

Simms, L. J., Goldberg, L. R., Roberts, J. E., Watson, D., Welte, J., & Rotterman, J. H. (2011). Computerized adaptive assessment of personality disorder: Introducing the CAT–PD project. Journal of Personality Assessment, 93(4), 380–389. doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2011.577475

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The Academic Science Behind the CAT-PD: Self Harm

The Self Harm subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery is a 7-item academic research instrument measuring the presence and frequency of self-harm urges, suicidal ideation, and self-injurious behavior history. Developed by Simms and colleagues (2011) at the University at Buffalo, it is used exclusively in structured research settings.

Research Framework and Construct Validity

The Self Harm subscale captures a spectrum of self-destructive trait patterns—from urges toward self-injury to suicidal ideation and historical self-harm behavior. Academic researchers use this subscale with heightened care, always in the context of institutional research protocols and professional oversight.

Comparison: CAT-PD: Self Harm vs. SBQ-R (Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire–Revised)
Feature CAT-PD-SH SBQ-R (Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire–Revised)
Core Construct Self Harm trait profiling Closely related construct
Number of Items 7 items Varies by version
Primary Use Case Academic personality baseline Research and structured evaluation
Scoring Method 1–5 Likert average Scale-specific method
Framework CAT-PD personality research battery Independent academic instrument

Understanding Your Score Range

No reverse-keyed items. Item average constitutes the research score. Any response above 1 on any item triggers a wellness check-in screen before the tool continues, consistent with responsible research protocol. Community α = .87; patient α = .86.

Academic Utility and Research Applications

This subscale is used in academic personality research to study the relationship between self-harm patterns and broader internalizing trait clusters. It is always deployed within research frameworks that include professional oversight, crisis protocols, and participant welfare safeguards.

Educational Results Interpretation

Scores on this subscale are research data points used by qualified researchers. Any indication of active distress should prompt immediate engagement with qualified professional support. This engine is provided for academic self-reflection and research purposes only. Results constitute educational data points and not evaluative conclusions. Participants are always encouraged to consult a qualified professional for comprehensive structural review.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the CAT-PD Self Harm scale measure, and who is it for?

The Self Harm subscale of the CAT-PD-SF battery measures the presence and frequency of self-harm urges, suicidal ideation, and self-injurious behaviour history. It was developed by Simms and colleagues (2011) for use within structured academic research settings with qualified researcher oversight. If you are completing this worksheet and are currently experiencing any of these thoughts, please reach out to a qualified professional or crisis service immediately — your wellbeing comes before any research tool.

What should I do if I scored high on this scale?

Please do not sit with this alone. An elevated score on this subscale — or any level of distress about self-harm or suicidal thoughts — is a clear and caring signal to connect with a qualified mental health professional as soon as possible. The International Association for Suicide Prevention maintains a directory of crisis centres worldwide at iasp.info. You deserve real human support, not just a webpage.

Why does the worksheet pause and show a message during the questionnaire?

This tool is built with Level 3 Sensitivity protocols, which means that if you select any response indicating self-harm thoughts or urges during the questionnaire, the tool pauses once to show a care message and provide crisis resources. This is not judgement — it is a design decision based on the principle that your safety matters more than any data collection. The message appears once per session, and you can choose to continue completing the worksheet after reading it.

Where can I get immediate support right now?

If you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide right now, please contact a qualified mental health professional immediately, or reach out to a crisis support service in your country. The International Association for Suicide Prevention maintains a global directory of crisis centres at iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/. You do not have to be 'bad enough' to deserve help — if you are struggling, that is enough.

Does this profile replace a formal professional evaluation?

No — and for this specific scale, this point cannot be stated strongly enough. This is an educational research worksheet, not a substitute for professional care. If any item on this scale resonates with your experience, please treat that as a direct invitation to speak with a qualified professional. You deserve real support, and it exists.