Prevalence, correlates, and prospective predictors of non-suicidal self-injury among New Zealand adolescents: cross-sectional and longitudinal survey data.

Jessica Anne Garisch,Marc Stewart Wilson

doi:10.1186/s13034-015-0055-6

Jessica Anne Garisch, Marc Stewart Wilson

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-015-0055-6

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Abstract

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among adolescents and linked to many maladaptive outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of NSSI among a community sample of New Zealand adolescents. A self-report questionnaire was administered to adolescents at time 1 (N = 1162, mean age = 16.35), and approximately five months later (time 2, N = 830, mean age = 16.49). Prevalence and bivariate correlations were assessed at both time points, and cross-lag correlations using matched data (N = 495, mean age = 16.23). Lifetime history of NSSI was 48.7 % (females 49.4 %, males 48 %). Consistent with previous international research, NSSI was associated with higher Alexithymia, depression, anxiety, bullying, impulsivity, substance abuse, abuse history and sexuality concerns and lower mindfulness, resilience and self-esteem. Cross-lag correlations suggested NSSI is directly (perhaps causally) related to psychological vulnerability in various domains (e.g., increased depression and lower self-esteem), while bullying may be more distal to NSSI, rather than a proximal predictor.

Highlights

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among adolescents and linked to many maladaptive outcomes
Time 1 (T1) prevalence for lifetime history of NSSI at least once was 48.7 %; There was no significant difference between males and females for Deliberate Self-Harm Inventory – Short form (DSHI-s) scores at T1, t(1137) = .42, p = .67. 12.16 % of those reporting NSSI history indicated most recent episode within the last week, 13.15 % within the last month, 28.29 % within the last year, and 46.40 % as over a year ago
Prevalence rates for lifetime history of NSSI in this study were higher than those reported in many previous international studies of youth NSSI - almost 50 %

Summary

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is common among adolescents and linked to many maladaptive outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of NSSI among a community sample of New Zealand adolescents. Consistent with previous international research, NSSI was associated with higher Alexithymia, depression, anxiety, bullying, impulsivity, substance abuse, abuse history and sexuality concerns and lower mindfulness, resilience and self-esteem. This study investigates prevalence, correlates, and prospective predictors of NSSI among New Zealand adolescents. There is currently no large-scale research involving New Zealand adolescents, assessing the prevalence of NSSI using a multi-item measure of selfinjury. Garisch and Wilson Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health (2015)9:8 variation in the measurement of self-injurious behaviour, the length of follow-up, and the types of predictors that various researchers include (see [48]). Understanding of the longitudinal development and cessation of NSSI remains a new area of research with inconsistent findings and methods across samples

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