Adolescent non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in German-speaking countries: comparing prevalence rates from three community samples

Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has been recognized as a significant mental health problem in adolescence with high prevalence rates. To date, there are few studies that compare rates of adolescent NSSI between different countries. Thus far no prevalence rates of adolescent NSSI have been reported for Austrian or Swiss community samples. This study aimed to assess and compare rates of adolescent NSSI in school samples from Austria, Germany and Switzerland using the same assessment instrument (Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory; OSI). Within these countries, 6-month prevalence rates between 7.6 and 14.6% were found, with rates showing significant differences between countries (χ² = 16.54, p = 0.02). These results demonstrate with some variability the significant rates of NSSI in youth in a cross-country study.