Abstract
BackgroundDespite elevations in risks associated with self-injurious behavior among community adolescents, the degree to which these features are associated with self-injury among incarcerated youth has rarely been examined. Although the DSM-5 recently proposed a distinct category of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), most studies of youths in forensic settings have not distinguished between subtypes of self-harming individuals.MethodsDemographic, offense, and disorder contributors to NSSI in incarcerated youths of both genders (N = 358) were examined via a computerized self-report instrument (VISA), largely consistent with DSM-5.ResultsNonsuicidal self-injurers (vs. non-injurers) were almost three times as likely to be white, slightly younger, and more than seven times as likely to have also made a suicide attempt. While males and females reported different rates of exposure to different types of assaultive violence, both nonsexual assault and forced sexual activity were approximately twice as likely among those reporting NSSI in both genders.ConclusionFinding support standardized, universal screening for nonsuicidal self-injury in juvenile justice secure care facilities.
Highlights
Despite elevations in risks associated with self-injurious behavior among community adolescents, the degree to which these features are associated with self-injury among incarcerated youth has rarely been examined
We considered the following diagnostic indicators as potentially related to self-injury: Substance Use Disorders (SUD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Conduct Disorder (CD), and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Gender-stratified, logistic regression models that include age, race, MDD, lifetime suicide attempt, and exposure to forced sexual activity and nonsexual assault
Summary
Despite elevations in risks associated with self-injurious behavior among community adolescents, the degree to which these features are associated with self-injury among incarcerated youth has rarely been examined. The DSM-5 recently proposed a distinct category of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), most studies of youths in forensic settings have not distinguished between subtypes of self-harming individuals. Elevated rates of self-injury have been noted in incarcerated populations (Chapman, Gratz, & Turner, 2014; Smith & Kaminski, 2011) including adolescents in secure care (Casiano, Katz, Globerman, & Sareen, 2013; DixonGordon, 2011). The DSM-5 includes, as a “condition for further study”, a more specific subcategory of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) with absence of suicidal intent. The alternative DSM-5 subcategory, suicidal self-injury (SSI), considers acts where the intent is to die. Investigations of adolescent self-harm have not always distinguished between the two subgroups of SSI and NSSI
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