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Life Events Predicting the First Onset of Adolescent Direct Self-Injurious Behavior-A Prospective Multicenter Study
Michael Kaess1, Lena Eppelmann2, Romuald Brunner3
1University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Section of Translational Child and Adolescent Psychobiology, Clinic of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Centre of Psychosocial Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Summary
Adolescent self-harm is linked to life events. Interpersonal stressors, particularly within family and peer groups, significantly predict the first onset of direct self-injurious behavior (D-SIB) in teens.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Health
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Self-injurious behavior (SIB) is a significant concern during adolescence.
- Direct self-injurious behavior (D-SIB) is a specific form of SIB requiring focused research.
- Understanding risk factors for D-SIB onset is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively investigate life events as risk factors for the first onset of D-SIB.
- To examine these risk factors in a large, multicenter European school-based sample.
- To determine if gender influences the onset of D-SIB or its association with life events.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design with 1-year intervals.
- Involved 1,933 adolescents across 10 European countries and Israel.
- Assessed life events over the preceding 6 months to predict D-SIB onset.
Main Results:
- A higher number of life events predicted the first onset of D-SIB.
- Interpersonal events (family and peer-related) were identified as proximal risk factors.
- Gender did not predict D-SIB onset nor moderate the life event association.
Conclusions:
- Interpersonal life events play a critical role in the development of D-SIB for both genders.
- The findings refine the understanding of proximal risk factors, emphasizing accumulated stressors and interpersonal events.
- This research supports the importance of addressing interpersonal stressors in preventing adolescent D-SIB.
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