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Published on: November 21, 2013
Nonsuicidal self-harm in youth: a population-based survey
Mary K Nixon1, Paula Cloutier, S Mikael Jansson
1Centre for Youth and Society, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC. mary.nixon@viha.ca
Summary
Nonsuicidal self-harm is prevalent in youth, with depressive and attention issues being key correlates. Just over half of self-harming youth sought help, highlighting a need for clinical vigilance.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Nonsuicidal self-harm (NSSH) encompasses behaviors like cutting, scratching, burning, and minor overdosing.
- Limited research exists on NSSH rates and mental health correlations in community-based youth.
- This study investigated NSSH prevalence, associated mental health factors, and help-seeking behaviors in adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the lifetime prevalence of nonsuicidal self-harm among youth.
- To identify mental health correlates associated with nonsuicidal self-harm.
- To examine help-seeking behaviors for nonsuicidal self-harm in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Victoria Healthy Youth Survey, a population-based longitudinal study of youth aged 14-21.
- Collected information on NSSH history, methods, frequency, age of onset, and help-seeking.
- Employed statistical analyses including t-tests, chi-squared tests, multivariate analysis of variance, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 16.9% of surveyed youth reported a history of NSSH, with cutting, scratching, and self-hitting being most common (83.2%).
- The average age of onset for NSSH was 15.2 years.
- NSSH was significantly associated with depressive mood (OR 2.18) and attention regulation problems (OR 2.24).
- 56% of youth who self-harmed sought help for this behavior.
Conclusions:
- A high lifetime prevalence of NSSH was observed in the studied youth population.
- Depressive mood and attention-related problems were strongly linked to NSSH.
- Clinicians should proactively screen for NSSH in adolescents presenting with mental health concerns.
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