Inconsistent reporting of past self-injurious thoughts and behaviors in children: A longitudinal analysis of data...

In longitudinal research with adolescents and adults, one-third of individuals who report self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs) fail to report this history in the future. However, there is limited information regarding this phenomenon in children. This study examined the prevalence, correlates, and developmental shifts of inconsistent reporting of SITBs in children using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study baseline (BL, ages 9-10), Year 1 (Y1), and Year 2 (Y2) assessments. Lifetime SITBs were assessed annually using a computerized clinical interview. Reporting consistency was calculated for 1-year intervals in two partially overlapping cohorts (BL-Y1, n = 1,350; Y1-Y2, n = 1,086). Logistic regressions modeled BL sociodemographic, clinical, and neurocognitive correlates with inconsistent reporting from BL to Y1. Developmental differences in inconsistency were assessed by comparing rates between BL-Y1 and Y1-Y2. At Y1, 67% of SITB reporters from BL did not endorse past SITBs (inconsistency range = 67%-80% across SITBs). Less severe clinical symptoms (e.g., parent-reported youth psychopathology, longitudinal SITB reports), younger age, and lower general neurocognitive performance were significantly associated with higher odds of inconsistent reporting of SITBs. Inconsistency in nonsuicidal self-injury reporting was significantly lower from Y1 to Y2 (73%) compared to BL-Y1 (80%). In late childhood, inconsistency in reported SITBs is the norm and may hinder accurate risk assessment for youth. These patterns may be associated with lower clinical severity and neurocognitive and developmental immaturity. Further examination is needed to better understand features associated with inconsistent reporting (e.g., forgetting, reconceptualizing, or nondisclosure) to inform suicide risk assessments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).