Multicenter analysis on the non-suicidal self-injury behaviors and related influencing factors—A case study of left-behind children in northeastern Sichuan

Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have been conducted focusing on the non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) incidence rate and influencing factors among left-behind children in northeastern Sichuan, China. In this study, we investigated the incidence rate of the NSSI behaviors, levels of anxiety and depression in left-behind children in northeastern Sichuan, and relevant sociodemographic factors. MethodsThe NSSI behaviors were identified using the Ottawa Self-injury Inventory (Chinese version). Its incidence rate and related influencing factors were evaluated by Cluster sampling; the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) was adopted to assess the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. ResultsA total of 9450 adolescents met the inclusion criteria, including 543 with NSSI behaviors, and the prevalence of NSSI was 5.7 %. There were 3596 left-behind children, and 243 of them had NSSI behaviors, the NSSI incidence in left-behind children was 6.8 %. There were 5854 non-left-behind children, and the NSSI incidence in non-left-behind children was 5.1 %. Left-behind children's NSSI behaviors were remarkably correlated with five risk factors: being female (OR = 2.411, 95%CI = 1.773–3.279), parents' divorce (OR = 1.742, 95%CI = 1.262–2.404), elder age (OR = 1.120, 95%CI = 1.028–1.219), severe depression (OR = 1.212, 95%CI = 1.148–1.281), and high anxiety (OR = 1.170, 95%CI = 1.093–1.251). LimitationsThis is a cross-sectional study, we cannot probe into the causality between NSSI behaviors and corresponding risk factors. Reporting and recalling biases may be unavoidable as questionnaires are performed by self-rating scales and retrospective reports. ConclusionThe NSSI behaviors are common in left-behind children in northeastern Sichuan. This study proposes that prevention and intervention measures are necessary for the healthy growth of such children.