Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

The differences in factors associated with subgroups of adolescents in the continuum of deliberate self-harm (DSH) phenomena were investigated. In an anonymous self-report survey of 6,020 adolescents aged 15 and 16 years, 3.2% of adolescents (5.3% females, 1.3% males) reported DSH with intent to die, 2.8% (4.3% females; 1.5% males) reported DSH without intent to die, and 15% (22.4% females; 8.5% males) reported thoughts of DSH without acts. Regression analysis indicated considerable overlap in vulnerability factors along the spectrum of DSH thoughts and acts. A uniquely distinct relationship was found between DSH of a friend and DSH without intent to die on one hand and DSH of a family member with DSH with intent to die on the other. Results indicate that familial and nonfamilial social influences on DSH behavior may be important in designing prevention programs and that educational programs for the promotion of psychological well-being may be helpful for adolescents at any point along the spectrum of DSH that was examined.

Original publication

DOI

10.1521/suli.2009.39.5.518

Type

Journal article

Journal

Suicide Life Threat Behav

Publication Date

10/2009

Volume

39

Pages

518 - 537

Keywords

Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Analysis of Variance, Family, Female, Friends, Humans, Logistic Models, Male, Multivariate Analysis, Prevalence, Regression Analysis, Self-Injurious Behavior, Sex Characteristics, Social Behavior, Suicide, Surveys and Questionnaires