Psychopathological sub-healthy status as predictor on self-or unintentional injuries among Chinese adolescents: a school-based follow-up study

Abstract

To investigate the association between psychological sub-healthy status and risks on injuries and related predictors among adolescents in China, in order to develop reasonable intervention programs. Adolescents were selected from middle schools and colleges in eight cities. Baseline status on sub-healthy that related to psycho-pathology was measured using the Multidimensional Sub-health Questionnaire of Adolescents (MSQA). Data on Self- or unintentional injuries were collected using a standardized injury surveillance questionnaire every 3 months, for three times (T0, T1, T2 and T3). A total of 12 113 students completed the study. Prevalence rates related to self-injury among boys and girls were 19.4% and 19.9%, respectively. The rates of having more than 4 types of self-injuries in boys and girls were 4.7% and 4.2%, respectively. Boys had a significantly higher unintentional injury rate than that of girls (62.2% vs. 57.3%). The differences in the rates of having more than 4 types of unintentional injury between boys (3.8%) and girls (3.4%) were also statistically significant. Rates on self- and unintentional-injuries increased in T1, T2 and T3 when the psychological symptoms had an increase. Data from Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the baseline psychological sub-healthy status was a predictive factor for higher risk of self- and unintentional-injuries at each of the follow-up waves. Sub-healthy status of psycho-pathology was associated with an increased risk on self- and unintentional injuries among adolescents. Integrative psycho-pathological and behavioral intervention programs might help in reducing the risk of injuries among the Chinese adolescents.